Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Inflammation and depression : an evolutionary framework for the role of physical activity and exercise

Carrera-Bastos, Pedro LU ; Bottino, Breno ; Stults-Kolehmainen, Matthew ; Schuch, Felipe Barreto ; Mata-Ordoñez, Fernando ; Müller, Paulo T. ; Blanco, José Ramón and Boullosa, Daniel (2025) In Frontiers in Psychology 16.
Abstract

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a leading global health challenge, affecting nearly 5% of the population. Mounting evidence suggests that systemic low-grade chronic inflammation (SLGCI) plays a central role in the development and progression of MDD. This persistent inflammatory state results from unresolved immune activation and sustained exposure to modern lifestyle factors, such as sedentary behavior, poor diet, inadequate sleep, and psychological stress. Regular physical activity (PA), particularly exercise, has been shown to modulate inflammatory processes and improve depressive symptoms. This narrative review examines the complex interactions between inflammation and MDD, focusing on the role of PA and exercise in mitigating... (More)

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a leading global health challenge, affecting nearly 5% of the population. Mounting evidence suggests that systemic low-grade chronic inflammation (SLGCI) plays a central role in the development and progression of MDD. This persistent inflammatory state results from unresolved immune activation and sustained exposure to modern lifestyle factors, such as sedentary behavior, poor diet, inadequate sleep, and psychological stress. Regular physical activity (PA), particularly exercise, has been shown to modulate inflammatory processes and improve depressive symptoms. This narrative review examines the complex interactions between inflammation and MDD, focusing on the role of PA and exercise in mitigating SLGCI and neuroinflammation. This is approached through an evolutionary lens, exploring how the mismatch between ancestral and modern activity levels may contribute to the rise of MDD. In addition, it highlights the potential risks of excessive exercise, including overtraining and its association with depressive symptoms. Finally, this work proposes a practical framework for optimizing PA and exercise as preventive and therapeutic tools for MDD by aligning modern PA patterns with ancestral behavioral norms.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
exercise, lifestyle, Major Depressive Disorder, mismatch, neuroinflammation, systemic low-grade chronic inflammation
in
Frontiers in Psychology
volume
16
article number
1554062
publisher
Frontiers Media S. A.
external identifiers
  • scopus:105008006410
  • pmid:40510937
ISSN
1664-1078
DOI
10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1554062
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2025 Carrera-Bastos, Bottino, Stults-Kolehmainen, Schuch, Mata-Ordoñez, Müller, Blanco and Boullosa.
id
87513124-71cd-4b27-bae6-bbaf416be294
date added to LUP
2026-01-27 16:21:34
date last changed
2026-01-28 15:32:41
@article{87513124-71cd-4b27-bae6-bbaf416be294,
  abstract     = {{<p>Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a leading global health challenge, affecting nearly 5% of the population. Mounting evidence suggests that systemic low-grade chronic inflammation (SLGCI) plays a central role in the development and progression of MDD. This persistent inflammatory state results from unresolved immune activation and sustained exposure to modern lifestyle factors, such as sedentary behavior, poor diet, inadequate sleep, and psychological stress. Regular physical activity (PA), particularly exercise, has been shown to modulate inflammatory processes and improve depressive symptoms. This narrative review examines the complex interactions between inflammation and MDD, focusing on the role of PA and exercise in mitigating SLGCI and neuroinflammation. This is approached through an evolutionary lens, exploring how the mismatch between ancestral and modern activity levels may contribute to the rise of MDD. In addition, it highlights the potential risks of excessive exercise, including overtraining and its association with depressive symptoms. Finally, this work proposes a practical framework for optimizing PA and exercise as preventive and therapeutic tools for MDD by aligning modern PA patterns with ancestral behavioral norms.</p>}},
  author       = {{Carrera-Bastos, Pedro and Bottino, Breno and Stults-Kolehmainen, Matthew and Schuch, Felipe Barreto and Mata-Ordoñez, Fernando and Müller, Paulo T. and Blanco, José Ramón and Boullosa, Daniel}},
  issn         = {{1664-1078}},
  keywords     = {{exercise; lifestyle; Major Depressive Disorder; mismatch; neuroinflammation; systemic low-grade chronic inflammation}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Frontiers Media S. A.}},
  series       = {{Frontiers in Psychology}},
  title        = {{Inflammation and depression : an evolutionary framework for the role of physical activity and exercise}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1554062}},
  doi          = {{10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1554062}},
  volume       = {{16}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}