A study conducted by Birmingham University has revealed that chronic infections or illnesses during childhood may contribute to the development of mental health disorders later in life. The research, published in JAMA Psychiatry, indicates that nine-year-olds with elevated inflammation markers are five times more likely to experience psychosis or schizophrenia as adults.
The study utilized data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), which has tracked thousands of individuals since birth. Researchers assessed inflammation through levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) at ages nine, 15, and 17. Findings suggest a significant association between elevated CRP at age nine and later onset of psychosis and depression. This correlation was not observed in CRP levels measured at ages 15 or 17.
The study proposes that low-grade inflammation, peaking around age nine, might impact the central nervous system by altering brain immune cells, a process known as microglia activation. Lead author Edward Palmer emphasized the need for further research to identify the underlying triggers of this inflammation, which could be genetic, or related to infections, anxiety, stress, or trauma.
Palmer is currently investigating whether anti-inflammatory treatments could benefit individuals with psychosis and schizophrenia. He noted that understanding the role of inflammation in mental health could be as transformative as the discoveries made about cancer in the 1970s. Additionally, he suggested that rising allergies, autoimmune diseases, and changes in gut bacteria might be linked to these findings.
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