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A neuroimmunological perspective on anxiety disorders

A neuroimmunological perspective on anxiety disorders
A neuroimmunological perspective on anxiety disorders
Objective Research into psychoneuroimmunology has led to substantial advances in our understanding of the reciprocal interactions
between the central nervous system and the immune system in neuropsychiatric disorders. To date, the presence of inflammatory responses
and the crucial role of cytokines in major depression have been addressed in numerous studies. However, neuroinflammatory hypotheses in
anxiety disorders have been studied less extensively than in major depression. There is a high research need for better understanding of both
the heterogeneous role of specific cytokines in the control of anxious states and in different anxiety disorders and of the immunomodulating
effects of antidepressants on anxiety.
Methods Relevant literature was identified through a search of MEDLINE via PubMed. We discuss recent research on neuroimmunology
in anxiety and make methodological recommendations for future investigation of neuroinflammatory hypotheses in anxiety disorders.
Results Some accumulating evidence has indicated modulatory effects of cytokines on neuronal communication and anxiety; however,
research has not revealed consistent reproducible findings.
Conclusions The availability of inflammatory biomarkers may provide an opportunity to identify patients via specific pathophysiological
processes and to monitor therapeutic responses within relevant pathways. Further understanding of the neuroimmunological mechanisms to
untangle the reciprocal associations between inflammation and anxiety is warranted.
Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
neuroimmunology, anxiety disorders, cytokines
0885-6222
6-14
Hou, Ruihua
470bdcbc-93a9-4dad-aac5-26d455c34376
Baldwin, David S.
1beaa192-0ef1-4914-897a-3a49fc2ed15e
Hou, Ruihua
470bdcbc-93a9-4dad-aac5-26d455c34376
Baldwin, David S.
1beaa192-0ef1-4914-897a-3a49fc2ed15e

Hou, Ruihua and Baldwin, David S. (2012) A neuroimmunological perspective on anxiety disorders. Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental, 27 (1), 6-14. (doi:10.1002/hup.1259). (PMID:22213434)

Record type: Article

Abstract

Objective Research into psychoneuroimmunology has led to substantial advances in our understanding of the reciprocal interactions
between the central nervous system and the immune system in neuropsychiatric disorders. To date, the presence of inflammatory responses
and the crucial role of cytokines in major depression have been addressed in numerous studies. However, neuroinflammatory hypotheses in
anxiety disorders have been studied less extensively than in major depression. There is a high research need for better understanding of both
the heterogeneous role of specific cytokines in the control of anxious states and in different anxiety disorders and of the immunomodulating
effects of antidepressants on anxiety.
Methods Relevant literature was identified through a search of MEDLINE via PubMed. We discuss recent research on neuroimmunology
in anxiety and make methodological recommendations for future investigation of neuroinflammatory hypotheses in anxiety disorders.
Results Some accumulating evidence has indicated modulatory effects of cytokines on neuronal communication and anxiety; however,
research has not revealed consistent reproducible findings.
Conclusions The availability of inflammatory biomarkers may provide an opportunity to identify patients via specific pathophysiological
processes and to monitor therapeutic responses within relevant pathways. Further understanding of the neuroimmunological mechanisms to
untangle the reciprocal associations between inflammation and anxiety is warranted.
Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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e-pub ahead of print date: 26 January 2012
Keywords: neuroimmunology, anxiety disorders, cytokines
Organisations: Clinical & Experimental Sciences

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 208353
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/208353
ISSN: 0885-6222
PURE UUID: 9a3b93b4-9e0c-43ac-bec7-b55e87ec65a3
ORCID for Ruihua Hou: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-6127-1478
ORCID for David S. Baldwin: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-3343-0907

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Date deposited: 18 Jan 2012 14:46
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:28

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