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Review
. 2014;21(2-3):117-22.
doi: 10.1159/000356539. Epub 2014 Feb 14.

The immunology of bipolar disorder

Izabela Guimarães Barbosa  1 , Rodrigo Machado-Vieira, Jair C Soares, Antonio L Teixeira
Affiliations
Review

The immunology of bipolar disorder

Izabela Guimarães Barbosa et al. Neuroimmunomodulation. 2014.

Abstract

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a psychiatric condition associated with elevated frequency of clinical comorbidities and cognitive impairment. The neurobiology of BD is not completely understood. Recent evidence has implicated immune dysfunction in its physiopathology. Here, we review several data supporting the presence of immunological dysfunction in BD: (i) increased frequency of autoimmune diseases; (ii) distinct immune cell profile; (iii) release of/altered cytokines by stimulated mononuclear cells; (iv) elevated levels of circulating immune markers, and (v) inflammatory changes in the central nervous system. We also discuss the interplay between immunological dysfunction and neuroprogression in BD.

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