Targeting inflammation to influence mood following spinal cord injury: a randomized clinical trial

• Published in: Journal of neuroinflammation 2015-11, Vol.12 (205), p.204-204, Article 204
• Main Authors: Allison, David J, Ditor, David S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Amino Acids - blood; Care and treatment; Clinical trials; Complications and side effects; Cytokines - blood; Depression, Mental; Diet; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Inflammation - diet therapy; Inflammation Mediators - blood; Male; Middle Aged; Mood Disorders - drug therapy; Mood Disorders - etiology; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Risk factors; Spinal cord injuries; Spinal Cord Injuries - complications; Spinal Cord Injuries - psychology; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1742-2094; 1742-2094
• DOI: 10.1186/s12974-015-0425-2

The purpose of the present study was to examine the efficacy of targeting inflammation as a means of improving mood following spinal cord injury (SCI) and explore the potential mechanisms of action. The study was a randomized, parallel-group, controlled, clinical trial (NCT02099890) whereby 20 participants with varying levels and severities of SCI were randomized (3:2) to either the treatment group, consisting of a 12-week anti-inflammatory diet, or control group. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline, 1 and 3 months, and consisted of CES-D scores of depression, markers of inflammation as assessed by various pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and several amino acids related to depression. A significant group × time interaction was found for CES-D (Center for Epidemiologic studies Depression Scale) score (p = 0.01), the TRP/LNAA (tryptophan/large neutral amino acid) ratio (p = 0.04), the composite score of pro-inflammatory cytokines (p = 0.04), IL-1β (interleukin-1 beta) (p = 0.04), and IFN-γ (interferon gamma) (p = 0.03). Pearson's r correlation showed significance between the ∆IL-1β and both the ∆CES-D score (r = 0.740, p