Brain mast cells link the immune system to anxiety-like behavior
"Mast cells are resident in the brain and contain numerous mediators,
including neurotransmitters, cytokines, and chemokines, that are
released in response to a variety of natural and pharmacological
triggers. The number of mast cells in the brain fluctuates with stress
and various behavioral and endocrine states. These properties suggest
that mast cells are poised to influence neural systems underlying
behavior."
"Taken together, the data implicate brain mast cells in the modulation of anxiety-like behavior and provide evidence for the behavioral importance of neuroimmune links."
Mast Cell Activation & Inflammation in Brain Disorders: How to Calm Things Down
"Though our culture is only starting
to consider psychiatric conditions as inflammation of the brain, if you
or someone you know has panic attacks, depression, mood swings, ADHD,
brain fog, chronic fatigue, PTSD, autism, cognitive issues or even
dementia, then you know the destruction neuroinflammation plays in
people’s lives.
Tweaking neurotransmitter functioning, the primary role of modern conventional psychiatry, isn’t the same as treating inflammation in the brain. While psychotropic medications may help lessen symptoms (and can be life saving), they don’t address root causes including inflammation. In those with high immune reactivity, they may even trigger an inflammatory response themselves."
Brain inflammation has a lot to do with the interactions between mast cells, microglial cells, and CRH (corticotropin releasing hormone), which both triggers these cells and is released by them under stress. This can be either physiological or emotional stress. Examples of things can alter our stress response and contribute to chronic inflammation in the brain include toxic metals, chronic infections such as viruses and yeast overgrowth, mold exposure, trauma, and early disruption of healthy attachment. Stress calls for cortisol, so CRH is released to signal the adrenal glands to release mroe cortisol, which also activates mast cells and microglial cells, leading to chronic brain inflammation, which in turn can damage the brain and lead to neurodegeneration.
Research is also showing the role of mast cells in traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, stress conditions, sleep disorders, migraine, pain, ADHD and autism. When mast cells are stimulated they disrupt and release mediators that increase the permeability of what we call the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) and Gut Blood Barrier (GBB). If microglia are overstimulated, "they will release their own inflammatory mediators causing local inflammation and disrupted connections between neurons. If this goes on too long, nearby neurons will die which leads to neurodegeneration which can equate to the beginning of dementia."
Mast Cells, Stress, Fear and Autism Spectrum Disorder
“Prenatal stress has been associated with higher risk of developing ASD
in the offspring. Moreover, children with ASD cannot handle anxiety and respond
disproportionately even to otherwise benign triggers. Stress and environmental
stimuli trigger the unique immune cells, mast cells, which could then trigger
microglia leading to abnormal synaptic pruning and dysfunctional neuronal
connectivity. This process could alter the “fear threshold” in the amygdala and
lead to an exaggerated “fight-or-flight” reaction. The combination of
corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), secreted under stress, together with
environmental stimuli could be major contributors to the pathogenesis of ASD.
Recognizing these associations and preventing stimulation of mast cells and/or
microglia could greatly benefit ASD patients.”
Mast Cells and Stress- a psychoneuroimmunological perspective
Mast cells regulate blood-brain-barrier permeability from acute stress
Microglia and mast cells: two tracks on the road to neuroinflammation.
Neural circuitry engaged by prostaglandins during the sickness syndrome
Mast Cell Disease can manifest as Mixed Organic Brain Syndrome (psychiatric symptoms)
