Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants: novel immunomodulating agents

Abstract

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is an inflammatory disease in humans where no satisfactory therapeutic options exist. Regulation of the immune system by neurotransmitters has been identified as a possible exploitable strategy to treat inflammatory conditions. Antidepressant drugs have been found to have secondary actions including anti-inflammatory activity in a wide range of disease states in vivo. The cellular effects of these drugs that contribute to this effect have yet to be elucidated. The aim was to examine whether anti-depressants have a direct effect on the immune system or an effect on the target tissue such as lung cells.

Date of Award	Feb 2012
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Brighton