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Medical Doctor and PhD Ole Köhler-Forsberg from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Psychiatry has just defended his higher doctoral dissertation. Here he examines whether inflammatory reactions play a role in the development of severe mental disorders. The preliminary results indicate that this is indeed the case.
2021.03.15 |
Ole Köhler-Forsberg, Department of Clinical Medicine, defended his higher doctoral dissertation on 26 February 2021. Photo: Anne Kring
According to the new Doctor of Medical Science (DrMedSc), it appears that infections and inflammation can, in some cases, influence the development of severe mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. In his dissertation, Ole Köhler-Forsberg therefore also examines whether anti-inflammatory medicine may have an effect as a supplement to the treatment of some mental disorders.
Ole Köhler-Forsberg conducts research into 'psychoneuroimmunology', which is a relatively new field of research. For this reason, research in the field is still carried out on a trial basis, although it has long been known that the brain and immune system have an effect on each other – among other things, in the development of mental disorders. Further clarification is still needed as to whether there is a direct causal correlation between inflammatory reactions and the development of mental disorders, and whether anti-inflammatory medicine could benefit some patients with a mental disorder who also have an inflammatory condition in the body.
MD, PhD & DrMedSc Ole Köhler-Forsberg
Aarhus University, Department of Clinical Medicine and
Aarhus University Hospital, Psychiatry
Department of Affective Disorders and
Psychoses Research Unit
Mobile: (+45) 2342 0661
Email: olekoehler@clin.au.dk