Summary
| Direction in Major Depressive Disorder | ↑ Elevated — higher than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Inflammatory |
| Compared against | healthy controls |
| Source | Köhler et al. 2017 — doi:10.1111/acps.12698 |
| Condition atlas | Major Depressive Disorder Biomarker Atlas |
Other conditions where Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) is reported
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) in Gulf War Illness — ↑ elevated vs HGV
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) in Long COVID — ↑ elevated vs HC, R
- TNF-alpha in Low Back Pain — ↑ elevated vs patients without micro-damaged CEPs
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) in ME/CFS — ↕ inconsistent vs HC
See the cross-condition hub: Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) across conditions.
Related Inflammatory markers in Major Depressive Disorder
Full list: Major Depressive Disorder Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is TNF-alpha high or low in Major Depressive Disorder?
Elevated. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report higher TNF-alpha in Major Depressive Disorder than in healthy controls. Source: Köhler et al. 2017.
Which test measures TNF-alpha?
The atlas record does not list a standardised clinical test code (LOINC) for TNF-alpha, which usually means it was measured with research assays or study-specific protocols rather than a routine clinical panel. Check the cited source for the exact method.
Is one abnormal TNF-alpha result diagnostic of Major Depressive Disorder?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Major Depressive Disorder. TNF-alpha findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.
Is TNF-alpha specific to Major Depressive Disorder?
No. The same marker is also reported in Gulf War Illness, Long COVID, Low Back Pain, ME/CFS in this atlas, so it reflects shared biology (for example inflammation or vascular stress) rather than a condition-specific signature.
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Last reviewed: 2026-10-08 · Page generated from major-depressive-disorder.json · Browse: Major Depressive Disorder atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages
Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.