scholarly journals Role of Immunity in Pathogenesis of Psychosis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wafa Abdelghaffar ◽  
Oussama Sidhom ◽  
Lilia Laadhar ◽  
Rym Rafrafi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Antineuronal Antibodies ◽  
System Components ◽  
The Brain

The involvement of immunity in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and related psychoses was suspected a century ago but was shadowed by the dopaminergic hypothesis after the discovery of antipsychotics. We currently know that this latter theory has many limits and cannot account for the wide variety of psychotic conditions. The immune-inflammatory theory is now one of the most promising axes of research in terms of pathogenesis of several mental health conditions. Immunity and inflammation play a role at least in a subgroup of patients with psychosis. The immune system is complex with a variety of components and mediators that can all have effects on the brain and thus mediate psychiatric symptoms. In this chapter we will explore the scientific evidence of the role of immune system in pathophysiology of psychosis. The sections of this chapter will discuss the role of innate system components (cytokines, microglia, inflammation.), the role of adaptive system (lymphocytes and antibodies) with a section focusing on auto-immunity and particularly antineuronal antibodies. Finally we will discuss how this research can impact patients management and elaborate recommendations for future research.

scholarly journals The aetiology of social deficits within mental health disorders: The role of the immune system and endogenous opioids

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Jane Charles ◽  
Miguel Farias ◽  
R. I. M. Dunbar
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Social Bonding ◽  
Endogenous Opioids ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Endogenous Opioid System ◽  
Endogenous Opioid ◽  
Health Disorders

The American National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) has put out a set of research goals that include a long-term plan to identify more reliable endogenous explanations for a wide variety of mental health disorders (Insel, 2013). In response to this, we have identified a major symptom that underlies multiple mental health disorders – social bonding dysfunction. We suggest that endogenous opioid abnormalities can lead to altered social bonding, which is a symptom of various mental health disorders, including depression, schizophrenia and ASD. This article first outlines how endogenous opioids play a role in social bonding. Then we show their association with the body’s inflammation immune function, and review recent literature linking inflammation to mental health ‘immunophenotypes’. We finish by explaining how these immunophenotypes may be caused by alterations in the endogenous opioid system. This is the first overview of the role of inflammation across multiple disorders where we provide a biochemical explanation for why immunophenotypes might exist across diagnoses. We propose a novel mechanism of how the immune system may be causing ‘sickness-type’ behaviours (fatigue, appetite change, social withdrawal and inhibited motivation) in those who have these immunophenotypes. We hope that this novel aetiology can be used as a basis for future research in mental health.

scholarly journals Cytokines, neurophysiology, neuropsychology, and psychiatric symptoms

2003 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-153
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Major Depression ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Sickness Behavior ◽  
Signal Transducers ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Brain

Recent research has overcome the old paradigms of the brain as an immunologically privileged organ, and of the exclusive role of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides as signal transducers in the central nervous system. Growing evidence suggests that the signal proteins of the immune system - the cytokines - are also involved in modulation of behavior and induction of psychiatric symptoms. This article gives an overview on the nature of cytokines and the proposed mechanisms of immune-to-brain interaction. The role of cytokines in psychiatric symptoms, syndromes, and disorders like sickness behavior, major depression, and schizophrenia are discussed together with recent immunogenetic findings.

scholarly journals Reducing the Nicotine Content of Cigarettes: Effects in Smokers With Mental Health Conditions and Socioeconomic Disadvantages

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S26-S28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer W Tidey ◽  
Joshua E Muscat ◽  
Jonathan Foulds ◽  
A Eden Evins ◽  
Diann E Gaalema ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Cigarette Use ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Nicotine Content ◽  
Mental Health Conditions

Abstract In this commentary, we review results from laboratory studies and randomized clinical trials that have examined the effects of very low–nicotine-content cigarette use in smokers with mental health conditions and socioeconomic disadvantages. On the basis of scientific evidence to date, we conclude that a reduced-nicotine standard for cigarettes would likely reduce cigarette smoking in these populations, without increasing psychiatric symptoms or compensatory smoking.

The Role of Resilience in Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health

2020 ◽  
pp. 428-442
Author(s):  
Dawn M. Szymanski ◽  
Kirsten A. Gonzalez
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Minority Mental Health ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Structural Levels

Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) persons are able to persevere and flourish despite pervasive social stigma and minority stress based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. This chapter reviews the research on LGBTQ resilience that can occur at individual, interpersonal/family, community, and contextual/structural levels. The authors describe qualitative research that has examined pathways to resilience and positive LGBTQ identity. The authors also review quantitative research on LGBTQ resilience via mediator, moderator, and moderated mediation models. Variables are described that have been found to explain or buffer the links between external and internalized minority stressors and mental health outcomes. The authors review the small but growing body of research that has begun to examine the efficacy of therapeutic interventions aimed at promoting LGBTQ resilience. Limitations are discussed and directions for future research are suggested.

The Advancement of Neuroimaging Research Investigating Developmental Stuttering

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 88-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deryk S. Beal
Keyword(s):  
Speech Production ◽  
Fast Rate ◽  
Neural Correlates ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Current State ◽  
Developmental Stuttering ◽  
The Brain ◽  
State Of The Field

We are amassing information about the role of the brain in speech production and the potential neural limitations that coincide with developmental stuttering at a fast rate. As such, it is difficult for many clinician-scientists who are interested in the neural correlates of stuttering to stay informed of the current state of the field. In this paper, I aim to inspire clinician-scientists to tackle hypothesis-driven research that is grounded in neurobiological theory. To this end, I will review the neuroanatomical structures, and their functions, which are implicated in speech production and then describe the relevant differences identified in these structures in people who stutter relative to their fluently speaking peers. I will conclude the paper with suggestions on directions of future research to facilitate the evolution of the field of neuroimaging of stuttering.

scholarly journals Distribution of leukocyte subpopulation among students threatened by failure

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 3807-3812
Author(s):  
Aziez Chettoum ◽  
Kamilia Guedri ◽  
Zouhir Djerrou ◽  
Rachid Mosbah ◽  
Latifa Khattabi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Significant Development ◽  
Biological Assays ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Student Volunteers ◽  
White Blood Cell Counts ◽  
Academic Year ◽  
The Brain

Psychoneuroimmunology or the study of the relationships between the brain and the immune system is an area of research that has experienced significant development over the decade. Stress does not appear without consequences on the state of health, the role of fears, emotions and significant constraints in the appearance of organic and mental diseases. In this research, we studied the effect of stress and anxiety during exams at the end of the academic year (2018/2019) on the distribution of leukocyte subpopulations and the immune system, questionnaires has been completed by student volunteers, to estimate the anxio-depressive comorbidities through the (HADS) test during and outside exams, and in the same time we asked them for a blood sample the next morning day to carry out some biological assays (CBC). We also found that stress during exams caused a change in the distribution of different types of white blood cells, a total decrease in white blood cell counts with neutropenia and lymphopenia were found in students during exams compared to controls, and an increase in monocyte and other types of polymorphonuclear levels in students during exams compared to controls. Other tests measuring the effects of stress on specific functions of the immune system can be used.

scholarly journals A Diary Study on When and With Whom Recovery Experiences Modulate Daily Stress and Worry During a COVID-19 Lockdown

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Ménard ◽  
Annie Foucreault ◽  
Hugues Leduc ◽  
Sophie Meunier ◽  
Sarah-Geneviève Trépanier
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Negative Mood ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Daily Stress ◽  
Multiple Risk Factors ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Lag Effect ◽  
Recovery Experiences ◽  
Measured Time

In April 2020, almost six out of 10 people around the world were in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Being locked down usually has a deleterious effect on the confined individual's mental health. In this exceptionally challenging context, finding ways to minimize negative mood about the pandemic is essential. Pandemic-related negative states (“negative mood”) and recovery experiences were investigated in a sample of 264 individuals who completed daily surveys four times per day over 7 consecutive days. MSEMs analyses revealed that negative mood persisted from moment-to-moment through the day, thus showing a response lag effect. Further analyses revealed that when someone experienced pandemic-related psychological detachment, relaxation, mastery, control, pleasure, or relatedness at specific periods of the day, mood had improved at the next measured time period, suggesting a protective effect. However, the pattern displayed by singles with dependents suggests that some recovery experiences at specific periods during the day seem to have a backfiring effect and worsen subsequent mood. These findings bring new insight into the role of recovery experiences during lockdowns and suggest that many could benefit from such experiences throughout the day when self-isolating. However, for individuals with multiple risk factors such as being single with dependents, some recovery experiences, at specific periods during the day, might not bring the desired outcome and future research is needed to examine if guilt or domestic burden may explain this finding. Results contribute to our understanding of how to take care of one's mental health during the current pandemic, and concrete recommendations adapted to individual contexts are provided.

scholarly journals Describing the recovery experiences of not criminally responsible clients living in the community

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Boldt
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Forensic Mental Health ◽  
Process Of Change ◽  
Recovery Experiences ◽  
Not Criminally Responsible ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive

This study describes the recovery experiences of persons who have been found not criminally responsible on account of a mental disorder (NCRMD). A qualitative descriptive methodology was used to elicit the recovery experiences of five participants. The overarching theme that arose from the data was ‘Experiencing and understanding recovery in the forensic mental health system (FMHS) as a dynamic process of change,’ and the major themes that emerged out of the overarching theme are: ‘Recovering in the FMHS,’ ‘the Critical Role of Medication,’ ‘the Significance of Relationships,’ ‘the Importance of Helping Yourself,’ and ‘Navigating Challenges.’ The results of this inquiry reveal that the participants’ experiences of recovery are greatly influenced by their involvement in the FMHS. This study offers a preliminary understanding of how recovery is experienced by NCRMD clients who reside in the community and suggests implications for clinical practice and education, as well as future research and theory.

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