Formålet med studiet er at belyse forekomsten af autoantistoffer, infektioner og andre immunologiske forandringer i spinalvæske og blod fra patienter med debut af psykose eller depression, som et led i forklaringen på udvikling og forløb af psykiatriske symptomer.

Vi ved, at nogle immunologiske sygdomme, cancer og infektioner kan debutere med psykose eller depression. Det har været foreslået, at der er en immunologisk komponent i udviklingen af både psykose og depression. Blandt andet har vores store epidemiologiske studier vist at infektioner, autoimmunitet og inflammation er associeret med øget risiko for begge disse lidelser1,2. Flere metaanalyser har fundet, at patienter med disse lidelser har en forhøjet mængde inflammatoriske markører i blod og spinalvæske særligt i forbindelse med debut eller forværring af sygdommen. Genetiske studier har desuden vist associationer mellem depression/psykose og gener for specifikke immunologiske markører. 

Tidligere studier har endvidere vist at tillæg af anti-inflammatorisk medicin kan  have gavnlig effekt på depression og psykose.

Vi har på baggrund af ovenstående god grund til at antage, at immunforsvaret har indvirkning på sygdomsudvikling- og forløb på flere psykiatriske sygdomme. Grundige undersøgelser af spinalvæsken har hidtil manglet, hvorfor dette projekt søger at finde ny viden herom.

Via psykiatriske afdelinger og distriktspsykiatriske centre i København, vil vi over de næste årr inkludere op mod 250 patienter med psykose og 250 patienter med depression. Desuden vil vi inkludere 250 raske forsøgspersoner til sammenligning.

Som led i projektet vil alle deltagere få udført blodprøver og lumbalpunktur (opsamling af spinalvæske), og materialet vil derefter blive undersøgt for en bred vifte af inflammatoriske markører og autoantistoffer, samt for genetiske, immunrelaterede forandringer. Hvis der er abnorme fund i basisprøverne som aktuelt kan behandles, vil patienten blive informeret såfremt de ønsker det. Desuden vil der blive foretaget kognitive tests og et psykiatrisk interview til vurdering af om der er sammenhæng mellem sværhedsgraden af sygdommen (og evt. specifikke symptomer) og fund i blod og spinalvæske.​

Psych-Flame

The purpose of the study is to shed light on the occurrence of autoantibodies, infections, and other immunological changes in cerebrospinal fluid and blood from patients with the onset of psychosis or depression, as part of explaining the development and course of psychiatric symptoms.

We know that some immunological diseases, cancer, and infections can present with psychosis or depression. It is also suggested that there is an immunological component in the development of both psychosis and depression. Our large epidemiological studies, among others, have shown that infections, autoimmunity, and inflammation are associated with an increased risk of both depression and psychosis. Several meta-analyses have found that patients with these disorders have an elevated level of inflammatory markers in blood and cerebrospinal fluid, particularly in connection with the onset or worsening of the illness. Genetic studies have also shown associations between depression/psychosis and genes for specific immunological markers.

Previous studies have further shown that the addition of anti-inflammatory medication can have a beneficial effect on depression and psychosis.

Based on the above, we have good reason to believe that the immune system impacts the development and course of several psychiatric diseases. Comprehensive studies of cerebrospinal fluid are lacking in this population, which is why this project aims to find new knowledge in this area.

Through psychiatric departments and community psychiatric centers in Copenhagen, we will over the next few years include up to 250 patients with psychosis and 250 patients with depression. Additionally, we will include 250 healthy volunteers for comparison.

As part of the project, all participants will undergo blood tests and a lumbar puncture (collection of cerebrospinal fluid), and the material will then be examined for a wide range of inflammatory markers and autoantibodies, as well as for genetic, immune-related changes. If there are abnormal findings in the baseline tests that can be treated, the patient will be informed if they wish. Furthermore, cognitive tests and a psychiatric interview will be conducted to assess whether there is a correlation between the severity of the illness (and possibly specific symptoms) and findings in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid.

​You can find information material for patients, including information about the specific tests, 

click here. 

All participants will receive a fee transferred to their Danish bank account.

If you are interested in being a healthy volunteer in our project, you can get more info by contacting us here.

We will continuously update our page with the latest news from the project, and also inform about publications based on the collected data. ​See our news here.