- Country: United States
- Official Title: Professor
- Department: Psychiatry and Radiology
- Institute: Harvard Medical School
- E-Mail: kubicki@bwh.harvard.edu
Speech Title
Biomarkers of Neuroinflammation in Mental Disorder
Neuroinflammation has emerged as one of the critical factors in understanding the pathophysiology of mental disorders, including schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. Research has indicated presence of increased blood-brain permeability, activated microglia, or increased levels of cytokines, chemokines, and neurotrophic factors, and their link to cognitive and clinical presentation. While those findings thus far have not translated to established neuroinflammatory biomarkers, researchers are trying to utilize advanced imaging techniques and biofluid analyses to detect and tract inflammation in vivo. Understanding the link between neuroinflammation and mental health disorders not only enhances our grasp of their underlying mechanisms but also opens avenues for intervention strategies that may mitigate neuroinflammatory responses.
In my talk, I will review the potential biomarkers investigated in the context of neuroinflammatory processes in mental disorders. I will first review central and peripheral markers obtained from plasma and cerebro-spinal fluid. I will then discuss established and emerging neuroimaging methods for visualizing, quantifying and monitoring brain inflammatory processes, and will discuss how these measures are being linked to clinical symptoms and cognition. The development of biomarkers for neuroinflammation might hold the key to improving outcomes for individuals with mental health disorders.