Project Summary

Karina Davidson, of Ph.D. (Independent Investigator 2004) of Columbia University, will obtain pilot data to explore the relationship between depression and inflammatory markers for the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Depression is associated with increased risk for CAD, independent of other risk factors. This risk is similar in magnitude to those seen with smoking or diabetes. Increased serologic markers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein predict the risk of myocardial infarction, and Dr. Davidson will therefore study the effect of 8 weeks of depression treatment on otherwise healthy people with major or minor depression and elevated serological inflammatory levels. This study represents one of the first steps in determining the causal relation between depression and inflammation—whether depression causes increased inflammation. Prior studies have not examined the simultaneous treatment of both risk factors, condition that occur together, and Dr. Davidson hopes that elucidating how depression and inflammation are related will help determine how future trials examining CAD should be designed.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Unipolar Depression

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