Am J Psychiatry

Targeting inflammation eases depression and anhedonia in select patients

December 23, 2025

A meta-analysis of 11 randomized trials found anti‑inflammatory agents reduced depressive symptoms and anhedonia in patients with CRP ≥2 mg/L. However, treatment response (relative risk [RR], 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.997-1.64) and remission rates (RR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.71-1.95) weren’t significantly different from placebo. Results were consistent across clinical, demographic, and intervention characteristics.

Clinical takeaway: Consider checking inflammatory markers in patients with treatment‑resistant depression—those with elevated CRP may benefit from adjunctive anti‑inflammatory therapy.

Source:

Mac Giollabhui N, et al. (2025, December 10). Am J Psychiatry. Effect of Anti-Inflammatory Treatment on Depressive Symptom Severity and Anhedonia in Depressed Individuals With Elevated Inflammation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41366844/