Lived Experience Forum

[ivana]

Study:

"Scientists have, for the first time, characterized the molecular markers that make the brain's front lines of immune defense -- cells called microglia -- unique. In the process, they discovered further evidence that microglia may play roles in a variety of neurodegenerative and psychiatric illnesses, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases as well as schizophrenia, autism and depression.

"Microglia are the immune cells of the brain, but how they function in the human brain is not well understood," says Rusty Gage, professor in Salk's Laboratory of Genetics, the Vi and John Adler Chair for Research on Age-Related Neurodegenerative Disease, and a senior author of the new work. "Our work not only provides links to diseases but offers a jumping off point to better understand the basic biology of these cells."

Genes that have previously been linked to neurological diseases are turned on at higher levels in microglia compared to other brain cells, the team reported in Science on May 25, 2017. While the link between microglia and a number of disorders has been explored in the past, the new study offers a molecular basis for this connection...."

Whttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170531132645.htm

[Former-Member]

There has been a link between brain inflammation and Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and mental illness for a while. But I didn't know about the microglia (and as I want to be an immunologist this is very interesting!). It's been proposed that one day depression will be treated with anti-inflammatories instead of antidepressants. Will be interesting what research brings up.

[ivana]

Yes,studies have shown it repetitively.

Unfortunately there seems to be a huge gap between what researchers know vs what clinicians know with the majority of Psychiatrists in Australia still being "ignorant" regarding Neuroinflammation,Microglia,Oxidative stress etc and they purely focus on the Neurotransmitter Hypothesis of Schizophrenia and Depression etc and on the DSM diagnostic method.

Likewise,most Immunologists are currently 'disinterested' in treating patients with mental type symptoms and view it as the domain of Psychiatrists.

To be frank,a lot of Immunologists and other specialists hold outright discriminatory/stigmatising attitudes towards patients with psych type symptoms.

Good luck with your studies🙂

[Shaz51]

Hello @ivana, @Former-Member 

[ivana]

Hi @Shaz51 💕

[Shaz51]

Hello @ivana, how are you going my friend