Scientists May Have Found a Completely New Way To Treat Depression

A small University of Bristol trial suggests the anti-inflammatory drug tocilizumab may help some people with treatment-resistant depression.

In the 30-person pilot study, participants with depression and signs of inflammation received tocilizumab or placebo for four weeks.

Those on tocilizumab showed greater improvement in depressive symptoms and related measures, with higher remission rates than placebo.

The study was too small for firm statistical conclusions, but it points to inflammation-targeting drugs as a possible new treatment path.