Immune Cells: A Hidden Trigger for Anxiety, Depression, and Alzheimer’s Disease

Research indicates that regulatory T cells (Tregs) might stabilize mood and prevent depression, with their depletion linked to increased anxiety and cognitive issues in Alzheimer’s models.

Regulatory T cells—known as the workhorses of the body’s immune system—may also play a role in stabilizing mood, a study suggests. The transcription factor Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) controls the production of regulatory T cells (Tregs). While Tregs primarily regulate the adaptive immune system, research indicates they may also influence mood. Notably, reduced Foxp3 expression has been linked with major depressive disorders.