Inflammation triples depression risk for older adults with insomnia, research indicates

Medical Xpress / University of California, Los Angeles / JAMA Psychiatry ^ | July 16, 2025 | Michael B. Irwin, et al

[ConservativeMind]

Chronic inflammation, already tied to heart disease and cancer, may also worsen the emotional toll of poor sleep. A new study found that older adults with insomnia who experience inflammatory exposure face triple the risk of developing depressive symptoms compared to sound sleepers.

As humans age, we experience an increasing risk of chronic inflammation as our cells and immune system break down.

Inflammation and insomnia have each been linked to depression risk, whether causally or biologically, but no study to date has examined whether older adults with insomnia are more vulnerable to depressive symptoms when experiencing elevated inflammation.

The randomized clinical control trial enrolled 160 adults aged 60 and over in Los Angeles, of whom 53 had insomnia and 107 were healthy sleepers.

The healthy and insomnia patients were randomly divided into two treatment groups: exposure to inflammatory challenge vs. placebo.

Irwin and colleagues assessed for depressive mood in both groups after inflammatory exposure using the Profiles of Mood States depression subscale. Participants were also evaluated for depressive symptom severity and inflammatory cytokines in blood samples.

Inflammatory challenge induced increases in inflammation and depressive symptoms. Further, in older adults who were exposed to inflammatory challenge, there was a three-fold greater increase in depressive mood and symptoms in those with insomnia as compared to healthy sleepers.

Participants with insomnia were also depressed for far longer after inflammation was induced, showing a depressed mood for six hours or longer compared to transient increases in healthy sleepers.

"Treatments targeted at this inflammation-related depression may prevent depression and benefit these patients to improve their overall quality of life."

---

TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: aging; inflammation; sleep

[ConservativeMind]

Reducing your inflammation could help reduce depression risk from insomnia.

[ConservativeMind]

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List
This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20 - 25% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

[Leaning Right]

Two points, please.

One, thanks for these posts, ConservativeMind. The older I get, the more your posts apply to me. Quite the coincidence, eh?

And two, just what do they mean by “inflammatory exposure”? And how do you avoid it? I scanned the article and found nothing specific. But maybe I missed it.

[logi_cal869]

As humans age, we experience an increasing risk of chronic inflammation as our cells and immune system break down.

Amusing. /s

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

So if you can not sleep and are uncomfortable all the time you get depressed.

You don't say.

[SunkenCiv]

• Study finds hyperbaric therapy + corticosteroid combo aids sudden sensorineural hearing loss [07/24/2025]
• Nerve pain drug gabapentin linked to increased dementia, cognitive impairment risks [07/24/2025]
• Regular exercise may help prevent fatty liver disease through bile acid metabolism [07/24/2025]
• Plant compound slows cervical cancer growth in preclinical model (Andrographis) [07/24/2025]
• Diversified segmental defocus optimization spectacles delay myopia in children [07/24/2025]
• Chronic hives: Researchers identify most effective, safest treatments [07/24/2025]

[sweetiepiezer]

Granddaughter is a Homeopathic Dr.

She recommends Boiron products, all natural from plants and they work.

Most are tiny pellets that you melt under you tongue.

French product.

I have been using it for eczema and the itching has stopped, was up all night with it before.

They have products for pain, sleep, relaxation, acne, sinus, just everything.

Not $$$$.

Can buy a small tube at Sprouts or on Amazon.

Go to Amazon, type in Boiron and search what ails you. Get one tube and try it.

[metmom]

Makes sense.

Inflammation can often cause pain and living with constant pain wears you you.

[sauropod]

Bkmk

[ryderann]

I just ordered Andrographis (yesterday’s post) for inflammation. Here’s what Amazon says about it:

“Customers find the herbal supplement effective for immune support and inflammation relief, with fantastic results reported. Moreover, they appreciate its value for money and its positive impact on energy levels and pain relief, with one customer noting fast results for pain and fatigue. Additionally, the supplement receives positive feedback for its clarity, with one customer highlighting its excipient-free formulation, and customers find it easy to swallow and take.

Generated from the text of customer reviews”