ArticleBrain, behavior, & immunity - health2025
Indications for an antidepressive effect of thymosin alpha-1 in a small open-label proof of concept study in common variable immune deficiency patients with depression.
Article in Brain, behavior, & immunity - health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Efficacy of thymosin α1 for sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2025Pooled it
- Aging and Thymosin Alpha-1.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025Review
- Conventional and new immunotherapies for immune system dysregulation in postpartum mood disorders: comparisons to immune system dysregulations in bipolar disorder, major depression, and postpartum autoimmune thyroid disease.Expert review of clinical immunology · 2025Review
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Authors and funding
10 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: A considerable proportion (21%) of patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) suffers from depression. These subjects are characterized by reduced naïve T cells and a premature T cell senescence similar to that of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). It is known that T cells are essential for limbic system development/function. Treatment with thymosin α1 (Tα1) is capable to increase the thymus output of naïve T cells. Objective: To treat CVID patients with a comorbid depressive episode with Tα1 to increase naïve T cells and thereby improve mood. Design: A small open-label, proof of concept trial. Five depressed CVID patients (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, HDRS >12) could be treated with Tα1 (8 weeks, 1.6 mg daily subcutaneously, 1st week, thereafter 1.6 mg twice weekly). At the start, at 8 weeks and 8 weeks after the last injection, the HDRS was recorded and blood samples drawn for measuring naïve and memory T cells, Th17 and Treg cells, hsCRP, IL-6 and IL-7. Outcomes were compared to those of a contrast group (42 MDD patients, same severity but treated as usual (TAU)). Results: In all 5 depressed CVID patients HDRS decreased during Tα1 treatment (with average 52%, TAU decreased scores with 36% in MDD patients). All 5 CVID patients showed an increase in naïve/memory CD4 Conclusion: This preliminary small study suggests thymus hormone treatment to have antidepressive and related immune correcting effects. Data urge for larger placebo-controlled trials.
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