Neuroinflammation in schizophrenia: New PET brain imaging studies

Available data indicate that the immune system helps coordinate portions of the central nervous system. It has been hypothesized that microglia, the brain’s resident immune cells, acquire a pro-inflammatory profile and contribute to the generation of an inflammatory milieu by releasing cytokines and reactive oxygen species. Additionally, neuroinflammation appears to be one of the common hallmarks in various neuropsychiatric disorders, and has previously been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

A new study conducted by a team of investigators affiliated with the University of Toronto provides evidence to the contrary, and findings indicate that microglial activation is not present in untreated patients diagnosed with first-episode psychosis. These findings were published in The American Journal of Psychiatry. Read more.