Children with ongoing inflammation are more likely to face significant mental health issues like psychosis and depression as they enter young adulthood, according to a new study featured in JAMA Psychiatry.
A recent study indicates that children with chronic inflammation may have a greater risk of developing serious mental health conditions, including psychosis and depression, in early adulthood, as reported today in JAMA Psychiatry.
The research, conducted by the University of Birmingham, revealed that young individuals who experienced inflammation were also at increased risk for cardiometabolic diseases such as insulin resistance, an early indication of diabetes.
This study analyzed data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), also known as the Children of the 90s study, comprising a sample of 6,556 participants, of which 50.4% were females. Inflammation was measured using elevated levels of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) recorded when participants were 9, 15, and 17 years old.
Among the two groups with consistently high inflammation during childhood, researchers found that the group whose CRP levels peaked at around age 9 had a stronger link to increased risks of depression and psychosis by the age of 24.
Edward Palmer, the study’s lead author from the University of Birmingham, stated: “There is growing evidence linking inflammation to psychotic, depressive, and cardiometabolic disorders, but there has been little exploration of the different patterns of inflammation during childhood and their connection to mental and physical health issues later in life.”
“When we analyze the data over time, it becomes clear that early inflammatory responses in childhood are major risk factors for developing conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, and insulin resistance in adulthood. The likelihood of these disorders occurring in children with inflammation peaking at age 9 was four to five times higher compared to those without inflammation.” The study’s findings provide a solid foundation for further inquiries into whether inflammation directly causes these disorders or if it merely serves as a warning sign.
Edward Palmer continued: “We are still working towards proving whether elevated inflammation directly causes these conditions, but it is evident that inflammation occurs prior to the onset of mental health issues and possibly related metabolic complications. Thus, more research is essential to understand the underlying mechanisms. This could eventually lead to new strategies for early detection, different types of early interventions, and potential innovative treatment options.”
