Researchers at the University of Bristol tested whether blocking inflammation could treat depression in people who don't respond to standard antidepressants. In a small clinical trial, an arthritis drug called tocilizumab — which targets the inflammatory protein IL-6 — helped 54% of treatment-resistant depression patients achieve remission, compared to 31% on placebo. The drug also reduced fatigue and anxiety while improving quality of life. About one-third of people with depression have elevated inflammatory markers, suggesting their depression may be driven more by immune dysfunction than brain chemistry imbalances. This immune-focused approach could open the door to personalized depression treatment based on a patient's inflammatory profile.
