Brain-bone axis dysregulation: Biological code underlying the bidirectional association between depression and musculoskeletal disorders - PubMed
7 hours ago
- #depression
- #musculoskeletal-disorders
- #neuroimmune-pathways
- Depression and musculoskeletal disorders like osteoporosis, fractures, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis have bidirectional links.
- Shared mechanisms include neuroimmune-inflammatory axis dysregulation, involving cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α), autonomic/endocrine dysfunction, oxidative stress, and gut dysbiosis.
- Antidepressants have mixed skeletal effects: SSRIs may reduce bone density, while SNRIs can improve osteoarthritis symptoms.
- Depression worsens orthopedic outcomes, increasing fracture risk, pain, disability, and reducing treatment response.
- Integrated care approaches and neuroimmune targets could improve comorbidity management and patient outcomes.