Neuroinflammatory pathways in anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and obsessive compulsive disorders. Issue 1 (30th September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Furtado, Melissa; Katzman, Martin A.
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 229:Issue 1/2(2015)
• Page Start: 37
• Page End: 48
• Publication Date: 2015-09-30
• Subjects: Generalized anxiety disorder -- Social anxiety disorder -- Panic disorder -- Posttraumatic stress disorder -- Obsessive compulsive disorder -- Inflammation -- Hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.05.036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Abstract: As prevalence of anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and obsessive compulsive disorders continue to rise worldwide, increasing focus has been placed on immune mediated theories in understanding the underlying mechanisms of these disorders. Associations between the dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and these disorders have been recognized in the scientific literature, specifically in regard to cortisol levels, as well as changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The present commentary will systematically assess the scientific literature within the past decade in regard to the psychoneuroimmunology of anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and obsessive compulsive disorders. Understanding the mechanisms of these disorders is essential in order to determine efficacious and targeted treatment strategies, which may lead to substantial improvements in overall functioning, as well as significant decreases in societal and economic burden. Highlights: Review literature on the role of inflammation in anxiety and related disorders. Dysfunction of the HPA axis is associated with anxiety disorders, PTSD, and OCD. Increased IL-6 and TNF-α associated specifically with PTSD and OCD. Due to contradictory findings, substantial research is required in these disorders.