Inflammation and Psychiatric Disorders

Mania, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated with increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, TNFα,. IL-1β and acute phase proteins. Immune activation increased levels of sIL-2Rs levels in acute and euthymic manic patients. Schizophrenia is accompanied by the activation of inflammatory and cell mediated pathways. 

The brain is considered an ‘immune-privileged’ organ, which means that cells from the immune system do not enter the brain except for certain cases of disease and injury. A growing body of evidence in recent years indicates that the brain and the immune system communicate both in health and disease states. The peripheral proinflammatory cytokines can affect the brain via several mechanisms through active transport across the blood–brain barrier (BBB),  leaky regions in the BBB, or the activation of neural pathways (the vagal nerve). Inflammation in the periphery as well as in the CNS can contribute to neuroinflammation via the activation of microglia and astrocytes. IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β are to influence

the brain at the morphological, functional, and cognitive levels affecting neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and memory/learning. 

There is currently a lack of pharmacological treatment options for PTSD, with only two selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), paroxetine and sertraline,  approved by FDA. A significant number of patients with PTSD do not adequately respond to these SSRIs. Various diseases and conditions exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxy genase 2 (COX-2) that is involved in cytokine production.

The cytokine panel as a group of inflammatory mediators, 12 cytokines and chemokines are measured from one blood sample. There is a strong body of literature as scientific evidences to suggest that the inflammation process and its early link for treatment and mental health management. The good thing is that we have a group of proteins  working and lined together which can be measured through a simple methodology to reveal the whole picture. 

Ask your doctor about the Biomarker testing. The biomarker's testing as preventive medicine: a new approach to stay healthy. Biomarkers are useful for:

• Disease prevention and screening
• Monitoring disease progress and response to treatment
• Drug selection

Our laboratory services are for informational purposes only. It is not the intention of Canada Metabolic Inflammation Diagnostics Inc. to provide specific medical advice but rather to provide users with information to better understand their health. Specific medical advice including diagnosis and treatment will not be provided. Always seek the advice of a trained health professional for medical adivce, diagnosis or treatment.