Disorder-specific and transdiagnostic Changes in Inflammatory Activity of Patients with mental Disorders

Disorder-Specific and Transdiagnostic Changes in Inflammatory Activity in Mental Disorders Abstract. Background: Empirical findings increasingly point to elevated inflammatory activity in the context of mental disorders. However, the extent to which inflammatory changes differ across disorders or whether inflammation represents a transdiagnostic correlate of mental disorders has yet to be clearly answered. Objective: To determine whether specific inflammatory markers (e. g., cytokines) are altered across mental disorders or whether there are disorder-specific cytokine changes in major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods: Utilizing a literature search, we compile and compare current meta-analytical findings. Results: Current evidence points relatively consistently toward alterations in the immune system, with the cytokine interleukin (IL-) 6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) in particular being slightly elevated across disorders. Conclusions: Perspectively, patients with chronic inflammatory diseases and mental disorders could benefit from anti-inflammatory treatment that accompanies psychotherapy.