Brain Inflammation and Mental Health

Research from The American Journal of Psychiatry, remarks by Dr. Donahue

We know that mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression can have environmental and stress triggers. New evidence shows that systemic and local inflammation can play a role.

A study in The American Journal of Psychiatry reviewed by the American Medical Association, found that psychosis and schizophrenia are associated with brain inflammation attacking microglial cells that support our brains neuronal function. This study adds to the growing evidence that some mental health disorders may be helped by reducing sources of inflammation hidden in our bodies.

Sources of inflammation are being found in the gut related to microbiome imbalance and immune reactivity to specific foods and environmental chemicals. These findings resonate with my clinical experience finding sources of immune inflammation in some of my patients presenting with anxiety, depression, OCD and ADD.