Neuroinflammation in schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders

Abstract

Following the concept that inflammation of the central nervous system is the foundation of some mental health disorders, this review aimed to give a better insight into inflammatory events associated with schizophrenia and psychosis in general. The cascade of events and the change in secreted molecules by microglia occurring during neuroinflammation might predispose or provoke psychotic episodes. Such molecules include cytokines, chemokines, products of arachidonic acid metabolism, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and bacterial products or proteins generated by the host to fight microorganisms. In this review, the role of the major known inflammatory molecules in the disruption of tissue function will be discussed. Among the cytokines frequently examined in schizophrenia such as IL-6, a trait marker, and IFN-γ, a state marker, together with some smaller non-protein molecules were overviewed. Among the discussed markers, it appears that there is no strong evidence supporting a single marker, or a panel of markers for that matter, that would have direct implications for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment. However, the collected data might point to some pathophysiological events associated with schizophrenia and psychosis in general.