Effects of Genetically Predicted Posttraumatic Stress Disorder on Autoimmune Phenotypes

Effects of genetically predicted posttraumatic stress disorder on autoimmune phenotypes

Observational studies suggest that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increases risk for various autoimmune diseases. Insights into shared biology and causal relationships between these diseases may inform intervention approaches to PTSD and co-morbid autoimmune conditions. We investigated the shared genetic contributions and causal relationships between PTSD, 18 autoimmune diseases, and 3 immune/inflammatory biomarkers. Univariate MiXeR was u…

Systemic inflammation may explain link between autoimmune disease and mental health issues

Living with an autoimmune disease is linked to a near doubling in the risk of persistent mental health issues, such as depression, generalized anxiety, and bipolar disorder, with these risks higher in women than in men, finds a large population-based UK study, published in the open-access journal BMJ Mental Health.

Immune molecules may affect mood

Two new studies from MIT and Harvard Medical School add to a growing body of evidence that infection-fighting molecules called cytokines also influence the brain, leading to behavioral changes during illness.  By mapping the locations in the brain of receptors for different forms of IL-17, the researchers found that the cytokine acts on the somatosensory cortex to promote sociable behavior and on the amygdala to elicit anxiety. These findings su…

First new research findings published from Our Future Health data

The first published research findings from Our Future Health data looks at whether people living with chronic inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s disease, have a higher risk of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. The research, published in BMJ Mental Health, analysed data from the Our Future Health research programme, which is now the world’s largest dataset for research on depress…

Autoimmune disease almost doubles the risk of depression and anxiety

People with an autoimmune disease have almost twice the risk of developing an affective disorder, which includes depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, according to a new study. The findings provide more evidence of a link between inflammation and mental illness.Continue ReadingCategory: Mental Health, Brain Health, Body & MindTags: Autoimmune, Inflammation, mental health, University of Edinburgh

Autoimmune diseases linked to persistent mental health issues

Living with an autoimmune disease could be linked to a near doubling in the risk of persistent mental health issues, such as depression, generalised anxiety, and bipolar disorder, with these risks higher in women than in men, according to international researchers. The team drew on data from 1.5 million people across the UK and looked at conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis; Graves’ disease, which causes hyperthyroidism; inflammatory bowel di…