The Mental Health System, the Disability System and Microglia

At 1:00 --

The bit that I've been particularly sort of interested in is how we have had these two separate worlds ---  mental health over here  and the disability system ---

And when I went to work in Mental Health I just saw people with almost identical needs to the people I had worked [with] and known in the disability system.

In fact, if you went to some of the less desirable community living alternatives and boarding houses and hostels and all that --- these people were practically indistinguishable almost.

Microglia and cognitive impairment in schizophrenia: translating scientific progress into novel therapeutic interventions  (2023)

Research has demonstrated that microglia, especially those in the gray matter of the brain, are activated in schizophrenia.

Upon activation, microglia release key proinflammatory cytokines and free radicals, which are well-recognized neurotoxic factors contributing to cognitive decline.

Thus, we propose that the inhibition of microglial activation holds potential for the prevention and treatment of cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia.

This review identifies potential targets for the development of new treatment strategies and eventually the improvement of care for these patients.

It might also help psychologists and clinical investigators in planning future research.

Microglia in Prenatal Brain Injury  (2021)

Mitigating Cognitive Deficits in Down Syndrome by Managing Microglia Activation (2020)

Microglia in Parkinson's Disease (2022)

The Role of Microglia in Brain Metastases: Mechanisms and Strategies (2024)

Microglia Modulate Neurodevelopment in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Schizophrenia (2023)

Suicide in bipolar disorder patients is associated with hippocampal microglia activation and reduction of lymphocytes-activation gene 3 (LAG3) microglial checkpoint expression (2023)

Former Australian Mental Health Commissioner Eddie Bartnik discusses needs for Inclusion, Citizenship and the need to recognize the often missed commonalities between "Mental Illness" and other types of "Disability."

Bartnik also discusses the need for sustained and inclusive focus on Mental Health such as could be provided by a Mental Health Commission which could drive reform and push for Personalized and Self-Directed services.

The role of microglia in multiple sclerosis (2017)

Summary

Microglia are implicated in all stages of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Microglia alterations are detected by positron emission tomography in people living with MS prior to the formation of structural lesions determined through magnetic resonance imaging. In histological specimens, clusters of microglia form in normal-appearing tissue likely predating the development of lesions.

Features of degeneration-associated/pro-inflammatory states of microglia increase with chronicity of MS.

However, microglia play many beneficial roles including the removal of neurotoxins and in fostering repair.

The protector-gone-rogue microglia in MS is featured herein.

We consider mechanisms of microglia neurotoxicity and discuss factors, including aging, osteopontin, and iron metabolism, that cause microglia to lose their protective states and become injurious. 

. . . The framework of microglia-turned-destroyers may instigate new approaches to counter microglia-driven neurodegeneration in MS.

Microglia NLRP3 Inflammasome and Neuroimmune Signaling in Substance Use Disorders (2023)

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

"Microglia are innate immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS)"