Authors: Blaylock RL
doi: 10.1588/medver.2008.05.00183
Abstract
There is growing evidence that a number of the psychiatric disorders are strongly related to glutamate excess. Likewise, recent studies have shown a connection between chronic inflammation and these same disorders. A compelling body of research links these two observations, glutamate excess (an excitotoxicity marker) and chronic inflammation (immune over-reactivity). It is known that systemic activation of the immune system also activates the brain’s special immune system, which is regulated by the microglia. Based on results of studies of the sickness behavior response to natural infections, neuroscientists have deciphered much of the mechanism responsible for the behavioral effects associated with intense systemic immune activation, including social isolation, depression, anxiety, and a loss of appetite. Most of these symptoms are shared by the major depressive disorders. Other studies have linked neurodegeneration and a worsening of neurodegenerative diseases to systemic immune activation. This paper demonstrates the known links between: systemic immune activation, brain microglial activation, and both major depressive disorder and a worsening of neurodegenerative diseases. Because a number of vaccines are being recommended to adults, the risk of precipitating or worsening these disorders is quite real. The mechanism for this process is discussed.
Keywords: astrocyte, depression, excitotoxicity, glutamate, inflammatory cytokines, major depressive disease (MDD), microglia, neurotransmitters, neurodegeneration, serotonin, vaccines
