A recent study conducted by Birmingham University has revealed that chronic infections or illnesses in childhood may significantly contribute to the development of mental health disorders later in life. The research, which focused on nine-year-old children, found that those with elevated levels of inflammation markers were five times more likely to develop psychosis or schizophrenia in the future.
The study, published in the medical journal JAMA Psychiatry, also highlighted an increased risk of depression and diabetes among these children. The findings suggest that early identification of inflammatory markers could eventually lead to preventative treatments for psychiatric conditions.
Researchers utilized data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), a long-term project that has been tracking thousands of individuals since birth. The study specifically measured levels of c-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory marker, in participants at ages nine, 15, and 17.
A significant link was found between elevated CRP levels at age nine and the later development of psychosis and depression. Interestingly, this association was not observed when CRP levels were elevated at ages 15 or 17. The researchers theorize that low-grade inflammation peaking at around nine years old may influence the central nervous system, potentially altering brain immune cells through a process known as microglia activation.
Edward Palmer, the study’s lead author, emphasized the need to identify the triggers behind this inflammation. Potential causes could include genetic factors, childhood infections, or psychological stressors such as anxiety and trauma, all of which are known to increase CRP levels.
Palmer is currently conducting further research to explore whether anti-inflammatory treatments could benefit patients with psychosis and schizophrenia. He likened the potential impact of understanding inflammation’s role in mental health to the breakthroughs in cancer research during the 1970s.
Palmer also noted that the rising prevalence of allergies, autoimmune diseases, and changes in gut bacteria could be linked to this inflammatory response, highlighting the importance of continued research in this area.