◇ 2024年1月29日(月)加齢研研究員会セミナーのご案内
| 日時： | 令和6年1月29日（月）午後2時～ |
| 場所： | 加齢研スマートエイジング棟４F セミナー室 |
| 演題： | 古き友、新たなる敵：サイトメガロウイルス、精神健康の隠れた影響者 |
| 講師： | 鄭海霞 |
| 所属： | Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, USA |
| 担当： | Ye Zhang（所属 臨床加齢医学研究分野・内線8556） |
| 要旨： | Neuroinflammation has long been suspected as a key driver in various neuropsychiatric disorders, yet pinpointing its source has remained a challenge. Among potential contributors, neurotrophic herpesviruses, including Cytomegalovirus (CMV), have recently resurfaced in scientific discussions. CMV, a herpesvirus family member, is known for its ability to remain dormant in the human body for life, often reactivating under psychological stress or during inflammatory responses. Our research team has delved into CMV’s significant yet often overlooked role in neuropsychiatric conditions like major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia, and outcomes from sports-related concussions. Through a comprehensive approach encompassing epidemiological studies, neuroimaging, and post-mortem analyses, we have uncovered compelling correlations between CMV seropositivity and several neurobiological markers. Our findings reveal notable changes in brain structure and function, including reduced gray matter volume, compromised white matter integrity, and diminished functional connectivity in key neural networks, especially in CMV-positive MDD patients. Furthermore, our investigations have highlighted a connection between CMV infection and neuroinflammation, evidenced by increased microglia activation and higher levels of inflammation-related gene expression. We propose a novel model suggesting that the immune response to CMV activity could directly or indirectly trigger neuroinflammation, which is crucial in altering brain microstructure and neurotransmitter systems involved in cognitive and mood regulation. This exploration into CMV’s role in mental health not only deepens our understanding of the inflamed biotype of neuropsychiatric disorders but also emphasizes the need to merge immunology with neuroscience to facilitate our strategies for improving patient outcomes in mental health. |