How might autoimmune disease and brain inflammation impact our mental health?

In our previous newsletter, we discussed how autoimmune diseases may be the underlying cause of psychological disorders. As many as half of autoimmune disease patients struggle with their mental health. There is a growing realization that autoimmune brain inflammation is not limited to severe cases such as autoimmune encephalitis, but can also manifest in systemic autoimmune diseases such as lupus, arthritis, Sjogren's, and more.

Recently, Dr. Sander Markx, discussed his experience treating 2 patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Both patients experienced hallucinations and were in some cases catatonic and mute, unable to express words intelligibly. Dr. Markx discovered that the patients also had lupus and theorized that lupus may be causing the inflammatory reactions that was damaging the patients' brains. 

After intense courses of immunotherapy, with intravenous steroids, cyclophosphamide, and Rituximab, one patient regained consciousness and awoke from her catatonic state after nearly 2 decades in a psychiatric hospital. Using a similar treatment regimen, another patient was also able to develop awareness of reality versus her previous delusions and was able to speak intelligibly again: "I feel myself being a person that I was supposed to be my whole entire life." 

Dr. Markx's discovery opens the possibility of new treatments for those struggling with psychiatric disorders. He believes that "there are probably many more patients whose psychiatric conditions are caused or exacerbated by autoimmune issues." Other research has also suggested that inflammation and autoimmunity may be at the source of a number of neuropsychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, depression and autism.

The Autoimmune Registry recently partnered with Brain Inflammation Collaborative, whose mission is to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of neuroinflammatory illnesses through coordinated research efforts as well as through advocacy, awareness, and education. They aim to ensure that brain inflammation impacting mental health is properly diagnosed and treated. To learn more, please visit https://braininflammation.org.

To support the Autoimmune Registry, please join our registry or share it with a friend who has an autoimmune condition. Donations are also greatly appreciated!