Tag Archives: Inflammation

The Future of CIRS

April 7, 2023

By: Andrew Heyman, MD, MHSA

It is difficult, if not dangerous, to predict the future. But trends and good data can point the way toward possibilities and probabilities. There is momentum building in our understanding of Chronic Inflammatory Response  Syndrome (CIRS), and the science has grown exponentially in the past 18 months thanks to transcriptomics. This new knowledge is sweeping our efforts forward in a  more defined direction while we hone our understanding of the disease. The future is coming into focus.

There are also larger moving parts within the general CIRS practitioner community and even external social and market forces that seem to be creating a set of likely outcomes that are both exciting and important.

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Predicting Disease Susceptibility Through Changes in Cognitive Performance

March 25, 2023

Cognitive function and other physiological factors, such as stress levels, have long been associated with physiological health and immunocompetence. Markers of cognitive function, such as reaction time, vigilance, and processing speed, are central to human ability and optimal performance. Variability in these measures is common, as numerous environmental, physical, and mental factors can modify them, including sleep quality, dietary patterns, and other lifestyle choices.

A burgeoning body of scientific evidence suggests that intra-individual variability reaction time and other cognitive performance markers may reflect neurobiological disturbances and, thus, have valuable prognostic significance. Prior research has shown that a heightened variability in reaction time is explicitly associated with greater mortality risk in both younger and older adults. Now, the results of a recent 2022 study reveal a potential connection between cognitive performance and disease susceptibility that could transform our understanding of and approach to the brain-immune system pathway.

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The Brain On Fire: Is Depression An Inflammation-Based Disease?

March 17, 2023

Complex, heterogenous, and often debilitating, depression is a multifaceted condition that affects millions of people worldwide. According to current statistics, one in five Americans will experience major depressive disorder (MDD) in their lifetime, and many will not find relief from current therapeutic approaches. While there is an ever-growing list of potential causes of MDD, recent research suggests that inflammation in the body may be a contributing factor to the development and severity of depression. And the latest clinical trial data suggest that targeting and treating inflammation as the root cause may help clinicians provide more precise, personalized care to patients struggling with depression and help them achieve lasting mental and physical wellness.

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