[The immunology of psychiatric disorders]

Immunological alterations in psychiatric disorders have gained increasing scientific attention throughout the last decade. Particularly in two disorders, major depression and schizophrenia, some substantial findings have been reported. Although such results stand not uncontradicted, they nevertheless stimulate current research into the neurobiological underpinnings of these diseases. In this review, immunological dysfunctions in major depression and schizophrenia are described in detail, together with studies on posttraumatic stress disorders, panic- and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Possible future research directions are delineated.