Cited by 347Tryptophan and brain disordersNeuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration MechanismsStress Responses and Cortisol

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The immune theory of psychiatric diseases: a key role for activated microglia and circulating monocytes

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Beumer, Wouter, Gibney, Sinead M, Drexhage, Roosmarijn C, Pont-Lezica, Lorena, Doorduin, Janine, Klein, Hans C, Steiner, Johann, Connor, Thomas J, Harkin, Andrew, Versnel, Marjan A, Drexhage, Hemmo A·2012·Journal of Leukocyte Biology

DOI 10.1189/jlb.0212100

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Abstract

This review describes a key role for mononuclear phagocytes in the pathogenesis of major psychiatric disorders. There is accumulating evidence for activation of microglia (histopathology and PET scans) and circulating monocytes (enhanced gene expression of immune genes, an overproduction of monocyte/macrophage-related cytokines) in patients with bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia. These data are strengthened by observations in animal models, such as the MIA models, the chronic stress models, and the NOD mouse model. In these animal models of depressive-, anxiety-, and schizophrenia-like behavior, similar activations of microglia and circulating monocytes can be found. These animal models also make in-depth pathogenic studies possible and show that microglia activation impacts neuronal development and function in brain areas congruent with the altered depressive and schizophrenia-like behaviors.

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Authors: Beumer, W., Gibney, S. M., Drexhage, R. C., Pont-Lezica, L., Doorduin, J., Klein, H. C., Steiner, J., Connor, T. J., Harkin, A., Versnel, M. A., & Drexhage, H. A.
Affiliations: Erasmus MC (NL)
Trinity College Dublin (IE)
Institut de Biologie de lˈEcole Normale Supérieure , INSERM, Paris, France
University Medical Center Groningen (NL)
Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg , Germany
Corresponding author: Beumer, Wouter
ORCID: Doorduin, Janine
Klein, Hans C
Harkin, Andrew
Versnel, Marjan A
Drexhage, Hemmo A
Venue: Journal of Leukocyte Biology
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published: 2012-11-01
Volume: 92
Issue: 5
Pages: 959-975
ISSN: 0741-5400 (ISSN-L)
1938-3673
DOI: 10.1189/jlb.0212100
OpenAlex: W2134543031
Cited by: 347
References: 242
Citations by year: 2026: 8 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 22 · 2018: 28 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 36 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 38 · 2013: 22 · 2012: 3
FWCI: 1.99
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
hdl.handle.net
Licence: other-oa
academic.oup.com/pages/standard-publication-reuse-rights (vor)
Locations: Journal of Leukocyte Biology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
EUR Research Repository (Erasmus University Rotterdam) (publishedVersion)
University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (publishedVersion)
EUR Research Repository (Erasmus University Rotterdam) (submittedVersion)
RePub (Erasmus University Rotterdam) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion)
Topics: Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords: microglial activation, circulating monocytes, mononuclear phagocytes, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, cytokines, chronic stress, NOD mice, neuroinflammation, animal models of psychiatric disorders
MeSH terms: Animals, Mental Disorders, Humans, Monocytes, Microglia

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The immune theory of psychiatric diseases: a key role for activated microglia and circulating monocytes

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