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InADEQUATE ACCESS TO Translational Medicine is contributing to Unnecessary Institutionalization

9/3/2025

Val's Take

One of the things that needs to be done is to create:
- A SYSTEM of TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE for IMMUNO-PSYCHIATRY and NEURO-IMMUNE Disorders
  - Probably through the University Teaching Hospitals

Further, such a System of Translational Medicine in IMMUNO-PSYCHIATRY and NEURO-IMMUNE DISORDERS needs to coordinate with:

Medicaid Providers
Criminal Justice, and
Homeless Providers

This isn't just about traditional psychiatry or immunology alone.

We need mental health professionals and immunologists to collaborate.
We need medical professionals and entities to lead that effort.

We need a sense of urgency and purpose.

Will this ultimately be done? Yes.
Meanwhile, many people are languishing in the criminal justice system because there is no adequate Continuum of Care.
Perhaps nobody has all the answers, but they have enough to reframe the issue and provide an adequate continuum of care for Neuro-Immune Disorders.

Policymakers and Providers have already done considerable work to integrate Physical & Mental Health Care.

The Immuno-Psychiatry or Neuro-Immune Model is a REFINEMENT of objectives in Healthcare Integration.

That Refinement has the potential to significantly enhance the effectiveness of treatment.

Icahn School of Medicine
Fighting Neuroimmune Disorders (2019)

"A fascinating look into the science behind Mount Sinai’s research into the causes and treatments of neuroimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis, major depression, and addiction."

The future of immunopsychiatry: Three milestones to clinical innovation (2021)

One of the Top Strategic Priorities for Clinical Translation of Immunopsychiatry Research:

"Set up expert clinical facilities with psychiatric, immunological and other relevant expertise"

Olmstead and a Psychiatric continuum of care that is not limited to the dsm

5/15/2025

Val's Take

This is going to the concern about "Anti-Social Personality Disorder."
This diagnosis is ubiquitous in the Criminal Justice System and it does a lot of harm.
The American Psychiatric Association does seem to be making major reform efforts for the DSM 6.
With regard to "Anti-Social Personality Disorder" -- I'm not seeing that the DSM 6 is going to truly get on top of the research --- maybe ease into it.
The APA probably will be on top of the research of today in 20 or 30 years, after many of us are dead.

We need a Continuum of Care for "Anti-Social Personality Disorder."

Antisocial personality disorder: Failure to balance excitation/inhibition? (2025)

Article is meant among other things "to enhance societal awareness and reception of the neurobiological basis of antisocial behavior and ASPD [Anti-Social Personality Disorder]."

Associations of the immune system in aggression traits and the role of microglia as mediators (2024)

An evolving immuno-psychiatry to neuro-immune disorders

4/11/2025

Val's Take/Conjecture

Having access to the most up-to-date treatments and understandings is an Olmstead issue.
Immuno-psychiatry really got started with this recognition of a relationship between auto-immune disorders and psychiatric symptoms.

Since then there has been an enormous research focus on Maternal Immune Activation and Developmental Dysregulation of Microglia, the brain's Innate Immune Cells and connecting this to Neuro-Developmental and Psychiatric Disorders.

These new understandings are relevant to people with Neuro-Immune Disorders who find themselves homeless and or incarcerated. and dependent on a mental health profession that is relying on an out-of-date diagnostic manual.

Further, this isn't just about having the perfect treatment (although we all want that) --- these new understandings themselves are raising reasonable doubt about how we treat people with Neuro-Immune Disorders.

Immunopsychiatry Clinic

Further, it is becoming more common to hear Neuro-Developmental and Psychiatric Disorders referred to as NEURO-IMMUNE DISORDERS.

First Episode Psychosis and Schizophrenia Are Systemic Neuro-Immune Disorders Triggered by a Biotic Stimulus in Individuals with Reduced Immune Regulation and Neuroprotection (2021)

Mechanisms of vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders: a focus on microglia and neuroinflammation (2025)

Evidence suggests that altered VN [Vagus Nerve] signaling is linked to changes in the neuroimmune system, including microglia.

Dysfunction of microglia, the resident innate immune cells of the brain, is associated with various neurodevelopmental disorders, including schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and epilepsy.

Frontiers in Psychiatry Editorial -- March 29, 2019:

Recent Advances in Psychiatry From Psycho-Neuro-Immunology Research:

Autoimmune Encephalitis, Autoimmune Encephalopathy, and Mild Encephalitis

Experiences in implementing immunopsychiatry in real life (2023)

[focuses primarily on autoimmune diseases with significant psychiatric components]

Immunopsychiatry Meetings

We organise bi-monthly online Immunopsychiatry Meetings.

This is an exciting new forum bringing together scientists from around the world working at the intersection between psychiatry and immunology.

The meetings alternate talks between world's leading scientists and early career scientists working in the field of immunopsychiatry.

The meetings are supported by the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) Immuno-NeuroPsychiatry Network.

Our aim is to provide the opportunity for researchers interested in immunopsychiatry to come together and to share their research, exchange ideas, and engage in networking.

The meetings are free and open to any scientist!

Behavioral Immunology and Endocrinology Lab

THE ECONOMICS OF BRINGING MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE IN LINE WITH THE MARCH 2019 FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY EDITORIAL & CURRENT RESEARCH

Executive Functioning, Pre-mature Aging & Staffing

3/6/2025

Val's Take/Conjecture

The RATE OF AGING is IDIOSYNCRATIC and dependent on a number of factors among which is MATERNAL IMMUNE ACTIVATION.
Also, there are complicated sex differences in aging.

Further, we are prepared to fund Alzheimer's Units and Locked Nursing Home Wards

Some of the people on those locked wards are younger people with "mental illness" or "brain injury" who could live in the community with sufficient supports.
There are a lot of people with "mental Illness" in jails or prisons, there are even more with "Neuro-Developmental Disorders" and an IQ over 70.
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) needs to be available to people transitioning out of the nursing home as well as the Jail or Prison.

Neonatal inflammation impairs developmentally-associated microglia and promotes a highly reactive microglial subset (2025)

So What?

"These findings suggest major changes in microglial subsets developmental trajectories and reactivity contributing to NDDs [Neuro-Developmental Disorders] induced by neonatal inflammation."

Staffing

There is so much that can be gained by Public Education,
A website dealing with the challenges and strengths of being a person with a Neuro-Developmental Disorder and an IQ over 70 --- could be very helpful.
AI could potentially be very helpful.
These new understandings are the precursors to better treatments and likely reduce the need for more Staff across education, employment, healthcare, etc.
Neuro-Diversity is often associated with many diverse chronic disease categories --- of course, it is.
If you've lived this --- you know there are a lot of Highs and Lows.
In the meantime, there is a need to re-allocate resources and staff.

For younger people with Neuro-Developmental Disorders and an IQ over 70

Historically, we haven't appreciated the underlying biology and executive functioning deficits or the idiosyncratic strengths.
At least sometimes the Societal Response has been --- "If you don't stop crying, I'm gonna give you something to cry about."

Prenatal maternal C-reactive protein prospectively predicts child executive functioning at ages 4-6 years (2020)

"These findings provide novel, prospective evidence that maternal inflammation uniquely predicts child cognitive flexibility deficits, and that these associations depend on the timing of exposure before or during pregnancy."

Aggression and its correlation with plasma C-reactive protein levels in patients with schizophrenia: A hospital based cross-sectional study (2023)

The effects of Maternal Immune Activation are not static over the life span, although those effects are not uniform and are idiosyncratic.

Something needs to be brought to bear on this challenge of people with Neuro-Developmental Disorders and an IQ over 70 who make up big chucks of:
- the Homeless
- Criminal Justice
- Child Welfare populations
- as well as a problematic Elite

ACCOMMODATING "FATIGUE" and IDIOSYNCRATIC BIO-ENERGETICS In Neuro-Developmental and Psychiatric Disorders

2/23/2025

Val's Take/Conjecture

When We're Talkin' Neuro-Diversity, We're Talkin' Neuro-Diversity
It is that Diversity that makes Neuro-Diversity so complicated to understand in the absence of BIO-MARKERS --- although researchers are identifying biomarkers.
Neuro-Diverse kids, adolescents and adults are more different from one another than Neuro-Typical people are different than one another.
When I use the word "Neuro-Diverse," I generally mean someone who was subject to Maternal Immune Activation IN UTERO and has some greater form of systemic developmental inflammation.
This DIVERSITY which has so many benefits is also putting a lot of pressure on policymakers and system designers at various levels to provide systems that are even adequate, much less good or excellent.

There are some Neuro-Diverse folks often viewed as having "ADHD" --- who need a lot of physical activity --

Need that at School and for much of the day, and
A Work Environment with a lot of Physical Activity that will pay them a living wage.

Further, HYPER-MOBILITY is more and more associated with Psychiatric Disorders

Editorial: Neurodevelopmental, neuropsychiatric and psychosocial correlates of joint hypermobility and related disorders (2022)

For some people, just saying MORE EXERCISE is the Answer is going to lead to DISASTER.

Whether or not they have ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), they may need any Exercise Routine carefully tailored to their "FATIGUE LEVEL" and that may not be "the average person."
Further, their Metabolism may be dysregulated as the result of DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES.

For kids who need significantly more physical activity at school, "fidget spinners" and "brain breaks" may be far from adequate educational responses.

Further kids in general, especially neuro-diverse kids need individualized programming and attention.

THAT MEANS ADEQUATE STAFFING which many Colorado schools do not have.

Increased physical activity can spur cognitive development, help children manage symptoms of ADHD (2024)

“I’m really interested in looking at what a typical day looks like for a child with ADHD, and the typical activity levels,” Logan said.

“There’s hyperactivity and inattention. So we might see differences in activity levels depending on which symptom is greater in a child. Hyperactivity-based children are very active.

"Maybe those children need more bouts of physical activity throughout the day to really burn off some energy and to refocus when they come back in for the school day.

"That goes in line with where physical activity guidelines are going… more physical activity spread throughout the day might be more beneficial for us.”

Benefits of Exercise May Vary Greatly in Primary Mitochondrial Disease (2022)

Val's Conjecture

I think the benefits of exercise and the frequency and intensity of exercise vary greatly among individuals generally, and among Neuro-Diverse people with MITOCHONDRIAL DYSFUNCTION.

Colorado Teachers complain of "DisreSpect" ---

2/19/2025

What is the Role of Inadequate Staffing for students with An IQ over 70 and 'invisible disabilities'?

Val's Take/Conjecture

My observation is that some Schools have improved their staffing for High Needs Students.
- Some schools may be struggling, but others even in less well funded school districts seem close to IDEAL.
  - There are notable exceptions.
- This is severely restricted observation.

On the other hand, kids with Medium Needs and "ADHD" and/or "Autism" are challenging staffing schedules.

There may be some paraprofessional support but it is often not enough.
What is enough?

A legislative audit of School Staffing for kids with disabilities could provide the data that is needed.

This should include kids with an IQ over 70 and invisible disabilities.

Staffing

Problems with Staffing Across Multiple Systems

How Arapahoe High School and the rest of the Country got to NOW: Mental Health, Uncertainty & a CYA Culture

Arapahoe High School and the Divergent Failures in the Public Health & Mental Health Systems

Olmstead & CO HB 25-1017

2/8/2025

Val's Take

Ostensibly this bill is about securing Olmstead protections should the US Supreme Court overturn the 1999 landmark decision.
- That is one of its purposes.
What is not said is that most States, including Colorado, are not fully complying with Olmstead anyway --- although the bill does note that Colorado's State Plan is 10 years old and many feel it is insufficient.
- So this also lays the groundwork/foundation for BETTER REALIZING THE PROMISE OF OLMSTEAD.
- Additionally, the bill provides more of a PROCESS to do that without being unduly prescriptive.

Lois Curtis, one of the original Olmstead plaintiffs

"HB25-1017 - lays the groundwork for putting Olmstead into state statute should the Supreme Court of the United States overturn the decision."

Policy making for over-lapping intellectual, Developmental & Mental Health Disorders

1/27/2025

Schizophrenia, ADHD & DoWn Syndrome --- Their relationship to the Immune System & the Endocrine System

Schizophrenia: more same than different to neurodevelopmental disorders?

"The neurodevelopmental continuum is based on emerging evidence for shared genetic risk and overlapping pathogenic mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders in early ages –

Intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder."
[Va]'s Take: Many researchers are including aspects of Depression in that NEURO-DEVELOPMENTAL CONTINUUM].

"bio-energetics," Disability & Accommodations

12/31/2024

Val's Take/Conjecture

Many illnesses and disabilities have some element of FATIGUE.

People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis had a hard time getting this neurological disorder taken seriously.

Fatigue is also a feature of many Neuro-Developmental & Psychiatric Disorders.

In the case of Neuro-Developmental and Psychiatric Disorders, the issue of fatigue is often flying under the radar for patients.

In part, I think that leads to the underlying biology becoming even more dysregulated and presenting more serious symptoms.

Further, the need to manage the Fatigue is often met with an even greater resolve to WORK THROUGH IT -- which can further exacerbate the Energy Issues for a Brain that already has energy issues.

Job Accommodation Network --- Accommodations for Decreased Stamina/Fatigue

As our understanding of the biology of Neuro-Developmental and Psychiatric Disorders is making dramatic improvements --- fatigue will be more treated and accommodated.

Recently, "BRAIN ENERGY" has become a Hot Topic in Mental Health. Dr. Chris Palmer and others are pushing a KETO diet and there has been some promising research.

Brain energy failure in dementia syndromes (2021).

Mitochondrial dysfunction: A fatal blow in depression (2023).

"The accumulation of defective mitochondria accelerates cellular nerve dysfunction.

"In addition, impaired mitochondria aggravate alterations in the brain microenvironment, promoting neuroinflammation and energy depletion, thereby exacerbating the development of depression."

Brain Mitochondrial Bioenergetics in Genetic Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Focus on Down, Rett and Fragile X Syndromes (2023)

A systematic review on the role of mitochondrial dysfunction/ disorders in neurodevelopmental disorders and psychiatric/behavioral disorders (2024).

"Mad Moms" poised to change the System

12/18/2024

Val's Take

If ever there was a need for specialized organizing and advocacy --- I think it is needed for Adult Children with cognitive issues in mental hospitals and jails.

Colorado “Mad Moms” are fighting to stop the churn that traps their adult children in mental hospitals and jail

December 2, 2024

<<Previous

InADEQUATE ACCESS TO Translational Medicine is contributing to Unnecessary Institutionalization

Olmstead and a Psychiatric continuum of care that is not limited to the dsm

An evolving immuno-psychiatry to neuro-immune disorders

Executive Functioning, Pre-mature Aging & Staffing

ACCOMMODATING "FATIGUE" and IDIOSYNCRATIC BIO-ENERGETICS In Neuro-Developmental and Psychiatric Disorders

Colorado Teachers complain of "DisreSpect" ---

Olmstead & CO HB 25-1017

Policy making for over-lapping intellectual, Developmental & Mental Health Disorders

Schizophrenia: more same than different to neurodevelopmental disorders?

"bio-energetics," Disability & Accommodations

"Mad Moms" poised to change the System

Olmstead Law & Order Thursday

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​Schizophrenia: more same than different to neurodevelopmental disorders?

Olmstead Law & Order Thursday

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Schizophrenia: more same than different to neurodevelopmental disorders?