Springer Immunology and Psychiatry: From Basic Research to Therapeutic Interventions: 8 (Current Topics in Neurotoxicity, 8)

Psychiatric disorders are one of the most dramatic burdens for humankind. The role of immune dysfunction in the pathophysiology of these disorders has emerged during the last years, because there has been tremendous progress in psychoneuroimmunological research. Many results are presented here by pioneers in the field. The book addresses various effects of the immune system on the pathophysiology and course of psychiatric disorders and highlights the possible future impact on treatment decisions of various psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and depression. The contributions cover the role of in utero immune challenges on the development of schizophrenia, the role of infections, and autoimmune diseases and mild immune activation in the development of depression and schizophrenia, the influence of immune responses in other disorders such as Tourette's, Alzheimer's, and OCD, the connections between mental and physical pain as well as between anti-inflammatory and antipsychotic drugs. Review “The editors and authors have produced an excellent, thought-provoking book. The primary audience includes psychiatrists, researchers in immunology and psychiatry, and anyone interested in the immunological contributions to psychopathology. … This is an excellent book on an emerging and important area in psychiatry: the role of the immune system. Written and edited by internationally recognized experts, it is a welcome addition to the literature. I highly recommend it.” (Michael Joel Schrift, Doody’s Book Reviews, September, 2015) From the Back Cover Psychiatric disorders are one of the most dramatic burdens for humankind. The role of immune dysfunction in the pathophysiology of these disorders has emerged during the last years, because there has been tremendous progress in psychoneuroimmunological research. Many results are presented here by pioneers in the field. The book addresses various effects of the immune system on the pathophysiology and course of psychiatric disorders and highlights the possible future impact on treatment decisions of various psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and depression. The contributions cover the role of in utero immune challenges on the development of schizophrenia, the role of infections, and autoimmune diseases and mild immune activation in the development of depression and schizophrenia, the influence of immune responses in other disorders such as Tourette's, Alzheimer's, and OCD, the connections between mental and physical pain as well as between anti-inflammatory and antipsychotic drugs. About the Author After studies of psychology and medicine Dr. Norbert Müller was trained in psychiatry, psychotherapy and neurology at the University Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich. He did research in the field of psychoneuroimmunology since 1983, primarily in schizophrenia, affective disorders and Tourette’s syndrome. The research focused on pathophysiological aspects and on therapy with anti-inflammatory compounds. Since 2000 he is Professor of Psychiatry, currently vice-chair of the hospital and department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU Munich. He was president of the German Society of Biological Psychiatry and member of the executive committee und treasurer World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP), since 2006 he was chair of the section "Immunology in Psychiatry" of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA). He won several honours and scientific awards including the Emil-Kraepelin Research Award. Dr. Aye Mu Myint is a Medical Doctor and obtained her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Maasrticht, The Netherlands and has done Habilitation in Experimental Psychiatry at Magdeburg University, Germany. She is working as visiting scientist at Ludwig-Maximillian University Munich, Germany since 2007 and as well as senior research scientist at Advanced Practical Diagnostics bvba (apDia), Belgium since 2006