Infectious and immunogenetic factors in bipolar disorder.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Despite the evidence supporting the association between infection and bipolar disorder (BD), the genetic vulnerability that mediates its effects has yet to be clarified. A genetic origin for the immune imbalance observed in BD, possibly involved in the mechanisms of pathogen escape, has, however, been suggested in recent studies.

Method

Here, we present a critical review based on a systematic literature search of articles published until December 2016 on the association between BD and infectious/immunogenetic factors.

Results

We provide evidence suggesting that infectious insults could act as triggers of maladaptive immune responses in BD and that immunogenetic vulnerability may amplify the effects of such environmental risk factors, increasing susceptibilit

SUBMITTER: Oliveira J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7159344 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature