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Abstract
Systemic inflammation has emerged as a relevant factor in the pathophysiology of several neuropsychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Recent studies suggest that chronic activation of the immune system can influence brain function, affecting neurotransmitters, neural plasticity and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, contributing to the emergence of neuropsychiatric symptoms. This study aims to explore the relationship between systemic inflammation and neuropsychiatric alterations, investigating the underlying mechanisms, the inflammatory markers involved and the clinical implications for diagnosis and treatment. The literature review explores the relationship between systemic inflammation and psychiatric disorders, with an emphasis on the role of the blood-brain barrier, inflammatory pathways, and potential therapeutic approaches using anti-inflammatory agents. The study covers articles published between 2015 and 2022, based on a systematic search in databases such as PubMed and Scopus. The main topics include the interaction between inflammation and depression, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, and the role of inflammatory pathways as a therapeutic target. Research has shown that high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β, are associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in different populations. In animal models and human studies, peripheral inflammation has been shown to interfere with the blood-brain barrier, promoting alterations in neural circuits related to mood and cognition. In addition, anti-inflammatory interventions, such as the use of cytokine inhibitors or immune modulation, have shown promising benefits in relieving neuropsychiatric symptoms, especially in cases refractory to conventional treatments. Therefore, the relationship between systemic inflammation and neuropsychiatric alterations highlights the need for an integrative approach that includes immunological assessment as part of clinical management. A better understanding of these mechanisms could lead to the development of innovative therapies aimed at controlling inflammation, promoting better outcomes for patients with neuropsychiatric disorders.
References
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