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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An Immunological Disorder?
Zhewu Wang1,2, Blaine Caughron3, M Rita I Young3,4
1Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
|November 23, 2017
Summary
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is linked to increased inflammation and immune imbalances. Research suggests exploring immunological treatments for PTSD may offer new therapeutic avenues.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with heightened systemic inflammation.
- Immune system imbalances observed in human PTSD mirror findings in animal models.
- Existing research on immune involvement in PTSD primarily relies on animal studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review human studies examining the immunological role in the development of PTSD after trauma.
- To analyze the inflammatory state and immune mediator balance in PTSD.
- To identify factors contributing to variability in PTSD immunological research.
Main Methods:
- Review of human studies focusing on the immunology of PTSD.
- Analysis of inflammatory markers and immune mediators in PTSD patients.
- Examination of variables affecting research outcomes in PTSD immunology.
Main Results:
- PTSD is characterized by a pro-inflammatory state.
- An imbalance exists between stimulatory and inhibitory immune mediators in PTSD.
- Discrepancies in findings are influenced by various analytical factors.
Conclusions:
- Immunological dysregulation is implicated in the pathogenesis of PTSD.
- Further research into immunological aspects of PTSD is warranted.
- Development of novel immunological treatment strategies for PTSD is proposed.
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