Brain inflammation in patients with psoriasis and depression
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Brain inflammation in patients with psoriasis and comorbid depression: a [11C](R)-PK11195 study
IRAS ID
264930
Contact name
C. Elise Kleyn
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 29 days
Research summary
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease affecting almost 2% of people in the United Kingdom. Depression, the leading cause of disability worldwide, is found to be more often than would be expected in psoriasis. Patients may experience significant distress.
Recent research links depression to inflammation, as evidenced in both the blood and the brain. Psoriasis is widely recognised to cause inflammation beyond the skin; it is feasible that brain inflammation may be implicated in depression observed in those patients. There is evidence, that biologic, immune-modulating treatments for psoriasis, may benefit both the skin and mood.
The aims of the study are to investigate:
1. whether there is evidence of brain inflammation (neuroinflammation) in patients with psoriasis and coexistent depression as compared to healthy controls and
2. whether neuroinflammation levels in these patients change following biologic treatment; and, if so, whether this is associated with improved skin and mood symptoms.
In order to do this, we will recruit 16 patients with psoriasis and depression, primarily in Salford Royal Foundation Trust. All patients will undergo a baseline positron emission tomography (PET) scan using the radiotracer [11C](R)-PK11195, which provides evidence for neuroinflammation. The patients’ data will be compared to data from matched healthy controls, who were previously recruited in existing approved protocols. We will also aim to follow-up 8 patients, who will undergo a second PET scan ~12 weeks following treatment initiation. The study is funded by departmental funds.
It is anticipated that the findings will inform about the role of neuroinflammation in patients with psoriasis who present with depression. Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms mediating low mood in psoriasis will ensure appropriate therapies for these complex patients, tailored to their comorbidity. This could help reduce illness-related distress and psychiatric mortality, improve quality of life and influence the often life-ruining disease course.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NW/0746
Date of REC Opinion
17 Dec 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion