An unhealthy body may be a better indicator of mental illness than brain changes

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-04-27 01:00

Australia; International; NSW; VIC; QLD

Image by Dmitriy Gutarev from Pixabay

Poor body health may be a better indicator of mental illness than brain changes, according to Aussie researchers who say that the metabolic, hepatic (liver), and immune systems all show indicators of mental illness. However, imaging of the brain has the advantage of enabling differentiation between distinct diagnoses, they say. The researchers say the management of serious neuropsychiatric disorders should acknowledge the importance of poor physical health and target restoration of both brain and body.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Psychiatry

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: The University of Melbourne, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, CSIRO, The University of Newcastle

Funder: Dr Tian was supported by the Mary Lugton Postdoctoral Fellowship. Dr Zalesky was supported by the Senior Rebecca L. Cooper Fellowship. Dr Cropley was supported by National Health and Medical Research Council grant APP1177370. Dr Breakspear was supported by National Health and Medical Research Council grant APP2008612. Some of the data collection and sharing for this project was funded by the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) (National Institutes of Health Grant U01 AG024904) and Department of Defense ADNI (Department of Defense award number W81XWH-12-2-0012).

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