Researchers investigated the relationship between neuroinflammation and neuropsychiatric symptoms in individuals with bipolar disorder (BD), focusing on the hippocampus and cingulate regions of the brain. Previous research has shown peripheral inflammation markers in BD, but the connection to clinical symptoms remains unclear. This study explores the inflammatory profiles of specific brain regions, finding that neuropsychiatric symptoms correlate with increased levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β and IL-6, in the hippocampus and cingulate. The findings suggest that neuroinflammatory changes in BD may directly influence clinical manifestations, with specific brain regions being differentially affected by inflammatory responses.

The results highlight the complexity of neuroinflammation in BD, showing that neuropsychiatric symptoms are linked to inflammatory markers in specific brain areas. Elevated levels of IL-6 and IL-1β in the hippocampus were associated with higher neuropsychiatric symptom scores. Correlations between these markers and cortisol levels suggest a connection between neuroinflammation and mood regulation in BD. These findings underscore the need for further research into neuroinflammation in BD to better understand its role in symptomatology and potentially inform more targeted treatments for the disorder.

Reference: Nascimento C, Villela Nunes P, Paraizo Leite RE, et al. The relationship of neuropsychiatric symptoms with inflammatory markers in the hippocampus and cingulate cortex of bipolar disorder subjects: A post-mortem study. J Psychiatr Res. 2024 May;173:25-33. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.03.001. Epub 2024 Mar 2. PMID: 38479345; PMCID: PMC11037553