In addition to this potentially bidirectional relationship, both inflammation and depression likely share biological pathways11,13,14,59 such as the aforementioned activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome19,42, which adds to the complexity of the cross-talk between the immune system and the central nervous system, but may also present novel therapeutic opportunities19,60,61. This evidence concerns the gene NLRP3 and major depressive disorder.