Neuro-Inflammaging and Psychopathological Distress

Abstract

Inflammaging is a low degree of chronic and systemic tissue inflammation associated with aging, and is intimately linked to pro-inflammatory mediators. These substances are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases and related psychopathological symptoms. When inflammation and aging affect the brain, we use the term neuro-inflammaging. In this review, we focused on the neuro-inflammatory process typical of advanced ages and the related psychopathological symptoms, with particular attention to understanding the immune-pathogenetic mechanisms involved and the potential use of immunomodulatory drugs in the control of clinical psychological signs. Inflammation and CNS were demonstrated being intimately linked in the neuro-inflammatory loop. IL-1, IL-6, TNF-a, COX and PGE are only partially responsible. BBB permeability and the consequent oxidative stress resulting from tissue damage make the rest. Some authors elaborated the “theory of cytokine-induced depression”. Inflammation has a crucial role in the onset symptoms of psychopathological diseases as it is capable of altering the metabolism of biogenic monoamines involved in their pathogenesis. In recent years, NSAIDs as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of relevant psychopathological disorders associated with chronic inflammatory conditions demonstrated their efficacy. Additionally, novel molecules have been studied, such as adalimumab, infliximab, and etanercept showing antidepressant and anxiolytic promising results. However, we are only at the beginning of a new era characterized by the use of biological drugs for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and this paper aims to stimulate future studies in such a direction.

Association between Perceived Health-Related Quality of Life and Depression with Frailty in the FRASNET Study

“…Our results also support a model in which frailty is related, within the geriatric population, to a continuous activation of innate immunity that culminates in a low-intensity but continuous inflammatory response. In this group of subjects, this maladaptive activation of the immune response, facilitated by the genetic background, is likely and probably influenced by lifestyle habits as well as environmental and cultural conditions [ 50 , 51 ]. Further multicentric prospective studies are needed to investigate whether the higher concentration of CXCL10 can help stratify otherwise healthy older patients for the risk of frailty and neuropsychological involvement.…”

Advances in the study of the role of extraoral bitter taste receptors

“…It is characterised by low levels of chronic and systemic tissue inflammation, as indicated by high levels of some biomarkers, such as tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) C-reactive protein (CRP). Immune senescence and inflammation induce brain pain, followed by the spread of clinical psychological symptoms and signs such as cognitive impairment, behavioural changes or psychiatric disorders [67]. Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are two of the world's most common and typically characterised neurodegenerative diseases.…”

Maternal Chronic Ultrasound Stress Provokes Immune Activation and Behavioral Deficits in the Offspring: A Mouse Model of Neurodevelopmental Pathology

“…The apparatus had two open arms (25 × 5 × 0.5 cm) perpendicular to two closed arms (25 × 5 × 16 cm) with a center platform (5 × 5 × 0.5 cm) and was made from grey plastic. Illumination was 75 Lux in the central platform and open arms, with no direct light to the closed arms [28,29,39].…”

“…While other types of stressors are also associated with negative emotions, such as increased signs of anxiety and depressive-like behaviors after physical stress, pain, or externally induced increases in inflammatory factors or glucocorticoid levels, these stress states are not triggered by the perception and processing of adverse information and do not involve a cognitive element as a key feature. Importantly, emotional stress can provoke pro-inflammatory changes in key limbic structures [26,27] and systemically in the blood [28].…”