Immunogenetic aspects of viral or other environmental factors in schizophrenia

Abstract

Neuronal regulation appears to be vulnerable to cytokines of the immune system. Environmental microbial factors can stimulate the production of such cytokines. The type of cytokine, elaborated in the course of acute and chronic infections, depends on the individual immunogenetic disposition. Examples of immune reponses will be discussed that can lead to a polarized overproduction of some cytokines in dependance of the immunogenetic disposition.