Psychiatr. praxi. 2021;22(2):80-83 | DOI: 10.36290/psy.2021.016

Inflammation and psychotic disorders

MUDr. Kryštof Kantor, prof. MUDr. Klára Látalová, Ph.D.

Klinika psychiatrie FN a LF UP Olomouc

Inflammation is part of immune reaction to external and internal stimuli, particularly infectious insults. In recent years, the attention of experts has shifted from acute inflammatory response to mild chronic systemic inflammation. This phenomenon appears to play a role in the etiopathogenesis of many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. In psychiatry, connection between inflammation and psychotic disorders is one of the major study interests. There is multiple evidence, that inflammation plays a role in a certain group of patients with psychosis. Markers that can help recognize this state in both acute and chronic psychotic disorders have been identified. A specific phenotype of schizophrenia spectrum disorders in which inflammation plays a significant role is being recognized. Research leads to theories of inflammation being one of the factors in the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia. This article introduces theoretical and research backgrounds to the connection between psychotic diseases and the immune system and presents an insight into attempts at the practical implementation of this knowledge into clinical practice.

Keywords: psychosis, schizophrenia, inflammation, immune system.

Published: July 9, 2021  Show citation