Figure 1.

Conceptual diagram of inflammatory-induced PTD.

Notes: A conceptual diagram of potential pathways by which the acute inflammatory response after TBI can lead to an inflammatory-induced depression. This conceptual diagram is based on research on major depressive disorder in the general population and on early work in PTD after TBI. *Specific inflammatory markers, including IL-7, IL-12, sICAM, sVCAM, sFAS, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, are based on preliminary studies from a population with PTD. They are not validated biomarkers for PTD, nor do they represent an exaustive list of potential biomarkers for PTD.

Abbreviations: PTD, post-traumatic depression; TBI, traumatic brain injury