Blog Archives

More corroboration of Psychiatric Disorders as Multi-System Disorders

11/27/2025

WHAT'S THE POINT: Psychiatric Disorders are not only brain disorders, they are MULTI-SYSTEM DISORDERS. THAT MATTERS.

New Understandings Matter

Grasping Posttraumatic Stress Disorder From the Perspective of Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology:

Etiopathogenic Mechanisms and Relevance for Integrative Management (Nov. 2025)

*Spain

Brain = Structure + Function + Energy (ATP)

11/20/2025

Val's Take: We're undergoing a BIOLOGICAL REVOLUTION of UNDERSTANDING [ENLIGHTENMENT] in the 21st Century, largely led by BIO-SCIENTISTS around the world.

These BIO-SCIENTISTS are not only going deep in their understanding of particular systems, they are going deep in their analysis and integration of common mechanisms of HEALTH and DISEASE.

MITOCHONDRIA are not the only pieces to the puzzle --- BUT they are a huge piece and understanding their role in NEURO-DEVELOPMENTAL and PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS as well as other DISORDERS and DISEASES ---

CHANGES THE EQUATION.

BRAIN = STRUCTURE + FUNCTION + ENERGY (ATP)

SCBA --- Society of Chinese Bioscientists in America
DC-Baltimore

Mitochondrial transport and energy metabolism in neuronal regeneration (2022)

Neuro-immunology and Neuro-Inflammation Clusters --- Dr. Tarek Samad, Head of Global Research at Lundbeck

11/16/2025

Val's Take

The TERMINOLOGY with regard to NEURO-IMMUNOLOGY is NOT STANDARDIZED.
Dr. Samad appears to be attempting to Standardize it.
This distinction between diseases and disorders more closely associated with the ADAPTIVE IMMUNE SYSTEM, and those more closely associated with the INNATE IMMUNE SYSTEM is important.
- That THERAPEUTIC IMMUNE TARGET may look different.

Dr. Samad notes that most AUTO-IMMUNE DISEASES involve ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY.

Neuro-Developmental and Psychiatric Disorders are often associated with dysregulation of MICROGLIA --- the Brain's Innate Immune Cells.
But MICROGLIA seem to have some ADAPTIVE IMMUNE FUNCTION as well.

So it is important to be able to differentiate between AUTO-IMMUNE ENCEPHALITIS and SCHIZOPHRENIA.

Dr. Tarek Samad
Senior Vice President & Head of Global Research at Lundbeck

Neuroimmunology and neuroinflammation cluster (2022)

Additionally, there is noticeable OVERLAP between AUTO-IMMUNE DISORDERS and PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS.

It is INDIVIDUAL --- and these INSIGHTS among many others are driving the need for PRECISION MEDICINE and PRECISION PSYCHIATRY.

Medical Researcher Kirolos Eskandar from Helwan University in Egypt: Bridging the gap in Translational Psychiatry Research

11/16/2025

From Theory to Practice: Bridging the Gap in Translational Psychiatry Research (2023)

* Helwan University, Egypt

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, psychiatric disorders affect a significant portion of the global population, with an estimated one in four individuals experiencing a mental health condition at some point in their lives.

In light of this pressing need, this comprehensive literature review delves into the field of translational psychiatry, examining the challenges, advancements, and future directions in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

It explores various subtopics, including neurobiological research, biomarkers, interventions, precision psychiatry, implementation science, and ethical considerations, to shed light on the progress and limitations in translating fundamental insights into innovative diagnostic tools, novel treatments, and personalized approaches for psychiatric disorders.

By critically analyzing recent research findings, this review aims to provide valuable insights and recommendations to accelerate the translation of research findings into effective clinical interventions, ultimately striving to improve mental healthcare delivery and outcomes for individuals affected by psychiatric disorders.

New Understandings MatterPictureFrom Theory to Practice: Bridging the Gap in Translational Psychiatry Research (2023)
* Helwan University, Egypt
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization, psychiatric disorders affect a significant portion of the global population, with an estimated one in four individuals experiencing a mental health condition at some point in their lives. In light of this pressing need, this comprehensive literature review delves into the field of translational psychiatry, examining the challenges, advancements, and future directions in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

It explores various subtopics, including neurobiological research, biomarkers, interventions, precision psychiatry, implementation science, and ethical considerations, to shed light on the progress and limitations in translating fundamental insights into innovative diagnostic tools, novel treatments, and personalized approaches for psychiatric disorders.
By critically analyzing recent research findings, this review aims to provide valuable insights and recommendations to accelerate the translation of research findings into effective clinical interventions, ultimately striving to improve mental healthcare delivery and outcomes for individuals affected by psychiatric disorders.

PTSD & LIMITS

11/13/2025

Val's Take: There is considerable CO-MORBIDITY among PTSD and ADHD, Autism, Schizophrenia,
Bipolar Disorder, and other Neuro-Developmental & Psychiatric Disorders.

Dr. Nevia --- talks about people hitting a limit. YouTuber Paul MiCallef with Autism from the Inside says many people with Autism are living close to their limits ALL THE TIME.

There's also much more of a recognition of CHRONOLOGICAL AGE vs. BIOLOGICAL AGE. A lot of that is attributed to "LIFESTYLE CHOICES" --- and the fact is LIFESTYLE CHOICES ARE IMPORTANT.

BUT .. . . If we're not recognizing not only huge impacts of ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, but also the IMPACT OF PARENTAL IMMUNE ACTIVATION prior to birth we're missing a lot.

Psych Hub
Columbia University's
Dr. Yuval Neria

Why Do You Have PTSD?

It seems the INFLAMMATION and DYSREGULATIONS we experience IN UTERO can result in people who are much closer to their limits than someone who doesn't have that DEVELOPMENTAL INFLAMMATION AND DYSREGULATIONS ACROSS MULTIPLE SYSTEMS OF THE BODY.

"Yuval Neria is Professor of Clinical Medical Psychology at Columbia University, Departments of Psychiatry and Epidemiology, and Director of Trauma and PTSD at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. Neria's body of work was deeply influenced by his extensive war experiences.

"He was injured in the Yom Kippur 1973 War and at the age of 22 was awarded the Medal of Valor, the highest decoration for combat bravery in Israel, comparable to the US Medal of Honor. Dr. Neria joined Columbia University Medical Center in 2002, and since then has led and collaborated on numerous studies in trauma and PTSD.

"He studied prisoners of war and war veterans, victims of terrorism and disasters, and people affected by large scale pandemics.

"In addition to his epidemiological and treatment studies, Neria’s lab is focused on translational studies aiming to identify brain markers for trauma, PTSD, and resilience.

"By using advanced brain imaging approaches, his lab has been a leader in characterizing brain markers of PTSD, specific PTSD biotypes, and the pursuit for reliable biomarkers of clinical improvement in patients responding to a range of therapeutic approaches.

"Dr. Neria is highly committed to the mental health care for veterans and their family members. In an effort to address key gaps in availability and expertise of mental health care for large number of US service members who are not eligible, or interested in services provided in VA Centers, he founded the Columbia-NYP Military Family Wellness Center in 2016, where both veterans and family members can receive free evidence-based care to address their PTSD, depression and anxiety problems."

"Neria’s research is supported by NIMH, philanthropy, and private foundations since 2004. He has authored more than 250 articles and book chapters, and edited four textbooks focusing on the nature and treatment of the mental health consequences of trauma."

Paternal Immune Activation

11/10/2025

The Missing Half: Paternal Immune Activation’s Role in Transgenerational Sex Differences (2025)

*Harvard

Parental health is increasingly recognized as one of the strongest predictors of childhood health outcomes (Jawaid et al., 2021).

Over the last three decades, researchers have made considerable progress understanding how maternal health contributes to children’s health.

For example, maternal immune alterations (such as infections or autoimmunity) can act as a primer for a range of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in offspring (Kentner et al., 2019).

Animal models of maternal immune activation (MIA) have helped to uncover the mechanisms which may underlie this increased susceptibility, and the sex differences in their presentation.

These advancements have resulted in novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools (Kentner et al., 2019).

Nevertheless, maternal health is only half of the story – what about paternal health? In a recent paper in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, Liao et al. (2024) demonstrate that paternal immune activation (PIA) has multigenerational and sex-specific effects on offspring behaviors.

They further highlight paternal epigenetic changes that may underlie these developmental alterations, paving promising directions for future research.

Neurocracy, Glial Cells & De-Myelination

11/9/2025

Demyelination in psychiatric and neurological disorders: Mechanisms, clinical impact, and novel therapeutic strategies (2025)

Neurocracy
Dr. Erin Gibson of Stanford: Don't Forget the Glia! (2025)

"Neurocracy is a podcast that explores how brain science intersects with the most pressing ethical and societal issues of our time. Hosted by Sanjay Adireddi, a neuroscience researcher-in-training, the show features expert interviews that make neuroscience relevant and accessible."

Glial Cells, Glial Cross-Talk & Multi-System Disorders

11/8/2025

Val's Take/Conjecture

Glial Crosstalk with other SYSTEMS OF THE BODY is one of the reasons some diseases and disorders are being recognized as "MULTI-SYSTEM DISORDERS."

Neuro-Developmental and Psychiatric Disorders are not just disorders of the Brain and Central Nervous System but also the Immune System, the Microbiome, the Endocrine System, and the Metabolism as well.

Further, the primary dysregulation often occurred during pregnancy, which is not to say that such dysregulations cannot be exacerbated or ameliorated in part by environment.

The CONSCIOUS AWARNESS of PATIENTS, FAMILY MEMBERS, PROFESSIONALS and the SOCIETY --- can make a BIG DIFFERENCE.

Microbiome-Glia Crosstalk: Bridging the Communication Divide in the Central Nervous System (2024)

MontrealNeuro
Glial cells and neurological disease research (2022)

Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience
Glial Cells Are More Than Just Brain Glue

Translational Medicine Friday