Inflammatory markers (IL-6 and CRP) in childhood and their association with brain structure and psychotic experiences in adulthood
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Childhood inflammation, measured by C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), impacts adult brain grey matter. Elevated CRP was linked to larger frontal gyrus volume in those with psychotic experiences, suggesting a psychosis-specific inflammatory pathway.
Area Of Science
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Immunology
Background
- Inflammation is a known risk factor for psychosis.
- Childhood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are linked to increased risk of psychotic experiences (PEs) and disorders.
- Mechanisms connecting inflammation and psychosis are not fully understood.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate the association between childhood CRP and IL-6 levels and adult brain grey matter volume at age 20.
- To determine if this association differs between individuals with and without PEs.
- To explore potential disease-specific inflammatory pathways in psychosis.
Main Methods
- Utilized data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) birth cohort.
- Acquired MRI scans at age 20 in participants with PEs (n=71) and controls (n=173).
- Employed voxel-based morphometry to analyze the relationship between childhood inflammatory markers and adult grey matter volume, including interaction analyses based on PEs status.
Main Results
- Elevated childhood IL-6 was associated with smaller grey matter volume in several cortical regions (e.g., left supramarginal gyrus, right parahippocampal gyrus, left precuneus) in adulthood, regardless of PEs status.
- A significant interaction between childhood CRP and PEs status was observed.
- Elevated childhood CRP was associated with larger right superior frontal gyrus volume specifically in individuals with PEs, but not in controls.
Conclusions
- Childhood CRP levels influence adult grey matter volume differently based on the presence of PEs, suggesting a potential psychosis-specific inflammatory pathway.
- Childhood IL-6 levels are associated with reduced grey matter volume in default mode network regions, indicating a more general effect on brain development irrespective of PEs.
- Findings highlight the differential impact of specific inflammatory markers on brain structure in relation to psychosis risk.
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