Raised inflammation earlier on in childhood is a “significant risk factor” for developing mental health disorders in early adulthood, new evidence has identified.
A recent study by the University of Birmingham has found that children who consistently have inflammation are at risk of developing psychosis and depression in the future.
In addition, they are more likely to develop cardiometabolic diseases such as insulin resistance compared to those with low, or no, inflammation during childhood.
- Inflammation in early adulthood linked to lower cognition in midlife
- High salt intake and pro-inflammatory diet associated with type 2 diabetes
- Inflammation triggered by stress linked to metabolic syndrome
A total of 6,556 individuals from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) were analysed during this trial.
Increased levels of the general inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) highlighted inflammation in the participants.
The participants whose CRP levels peaked at around the age of nine were most at risk of developing depression and psychosis by the age of 24.
Senior author Edward Palmer said: “There’s growing evidence of an association between inflammation and psychotic, depressive and cardiometabolic disorders, however little has been done to explore the different trajectories of inflammation during childhood and the association between those and both mental and physical health outcomes in early adulthood.
“When we look longitudinally, there is really strong evidence that inflammation earlier on in childhood is a significant risk factor for developing schizophrenia, depression and insulin resistance in later life.”
- What is Diapression?
- Exercise reduces depression in people living with high levels of pain
- Best exercises for people with type 1 diabetes outlined in new research
He added: “Some of the rates of developing these disorders within the group with inflammation who peaked around age nine were four to five times the chances for those without inflammation.
“We’re still a way off demonstrating whether raised inflammation plays a causal role in these disorders but it is clear that the inflammation pre-dates instances of mental illness and potentially related metabolic dysfunction, and as such further research needs to be done into the mechanisms driving it.
“This could ultimately lead to early life risk profiling, different kinds of early intervention and possible new treatment targets.”
Read the study in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.
