Autoimmunity and Brain Dysfunction

This chapter summarizes current knowledge on the relationship between systemic autoimmune/inflammatory processes, brain pathology, and mental (dys) function. Several lines of evidence are presented, as well as the molecular mechanisms instrumental in the initiation and maintenance of complex pathogenic circuits. Although the emphasis is on systemic lupus erythematosus and its associated neuropsychiatric manifestations, other disorders relevant to the immunological theory of mental disorders are also reviewed. Together with relevant immunopathology, the associated permissive conditions (e.g., breached blood-brain barrier) are discussed in the context of an upregulation in brain-reactive autoantibodies, neuroactive cytokines, complement components, and immune complexes. The gaps in our present knowledge and future directions are outlined at the end of the chapter.