More Immune Connections to Neuro-Developmental & Psychiatric Disorders​: Mast Cells

"Mast cells (MCs) are tissue cells that are derived from bone marrow stem cells that contribute to allergic reactions, inflammatory diseases, innate and adaptive immunity, autoimmunity, and mental disorders."

Activation of Mast Cells by Neuropeptides: The Role of Pro-Inflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines (2023)

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​Mast Cells in Autism Spectrum Disorder-The Enigma to Be Solved? (2024)

Identification of immune-related biomarkers in peripheral blood of schizophrenia using bioinformatic methods and machine learning algorithms (2023)

​Beyond Confirmed Mast Cell Activation Syndrome: Approaching Patients With Dysautonomia and Related Conditions (2024)

​[This is an interesting article and what it is talking about among other things is that --- it is hard to work with these patients with compassion --- they burn clinicians out.

As more of a MULTI-SYSTEM approach to neuro-developmental and psychiatric disorders is developed--- that should help.

Also, if patients are getting more effective and comprehensive treatments --- they may be a lot easier to deal with.]

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​RCCX Theory and Giftedness: A Promising New Line of Research (2019)

​"Because it appears that mast cell activation problems exist in the gifted population in greater frequency than in the general population, we urge those in the gifted populations with health issues not solved by drugs in those categories to discuss the possibility of mast cell activation problems with their doctors."

​Dr. Anne Maitland -- Mount Sinai 
Neuropsychiatric Manifestations of Mast Cell Activation Disease (MCAS)

​Neuropsychiatric Manifestations of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Response to Mast-Cell-Directed Treatment: A Case Series (2023)

Abstract

Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is an immune disease with an estimated prevalence of 17%.

Mast cell chemical mediators lead to heterogeneous multisystemic inflammatory and allergic manifestations.

This syndrome is associated with various neurologic and psychiatric disorders, including headache, dysautonomia, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and many others.

Although MCAS is common, it is rarely recognized, and thus, patients can suffer for decades.

The syndrome is caused by aberrant mast cell reactivity due to the mutation of the controller gene.

​ A case series is presented herein including eight patients with significant neuropsychiatric disorders that were often refractory to standard medical therapeutics. Five patients had depression, five had generalized anxiety disorder, and four had panic disorder.

Other psychiatric disorders included attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, phobias, and bipolar disorder.

All eight patients were subsequently diagnosed with mast cell activation syndrome; six had comorbid autonomic disorders, the most common being postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome; and four had hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

All patients experienced significant improvements regarding neuropsychiatric and multisystemic symptoms after mast-cell-directed therapy.

In neuropsychiatric patients who have systemic symptoms and syndromes, it is important to consider the presence of an underlying or comorbid MCAS [Mast Cell Activation Syndrome].