The future of psychoneuroimmunology: Promises and challenges

Angelos Halaris*, Karl Bechter, Ebrahim Haroon, Brain E. Leonard, Andrew Miller, Carmine Pariante, Patricia Zunszain

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This chapter aims to provide an overview of the burgeoning field of psychoneuroimmunology as it relates to psychiatric and neuropsychiatric disorders. It is a relatively young field, having come of age only recently, but the progress that has been made just in the past three decades has exceeded all expectations. It is fair to say that the field has opened up new horizons in our understanding of the complex interrelationships between the immune and nervous systems or as is otherwise referred to as the brain-immune interaction. Hitherto unknown biochemical pathways have been identified, and their complex interactions with neurotransmitters and immune mediators present opportunities for innovative research and identification of new targets for drug development. Biomarkers are being established that hold great promise for more precise diagnostic classification of psychiatric disorders but also understanding of the high comorbidity between specific psychiatric disease entities and a host of medical and neurological diseases. At the same time, immune biomarkers, neurotrophins, and antibodies enable prediction of response and understanding of treatment resistance. Imaging techniques of increasing sophistication hold great promise for visualization of aberrant connectivity and dysfunctional brain circuitry. The goal of practicing personalized psychiatry is now closer to becoming reality than ever before in the history of our specialty. The coauthors of this chapter have each contributed subsections commensurate with their individual expertise.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in Psychiatry
PublisherSpringer International Publishing
Pages235-266
Number of pages32
ISBN (Electronic)9783319705545
ISBN (Print)9783319705538
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Aug 2018

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