PhD defence: The role of the immune system in the development of anxiety disorders

PLEASE NOTE: The candidate gives a layman's talk, therefore the livestream will start fifteen minutes earlier.

This thesis describes the role of the immune system in different aspects of anxiety development, with a focus on the use of various responsible and sustainable research methods.

The results of our systematic reviews with meta-analyses suggest that the anxiety-reducing effect of SSRIs can be attributed to the effective reduction of fear generalisation and the general inhibition of fear-related emotions.

In addition, we have introduced the adverse outcome pathway method into our field of research. Using this method, we systematically mapped the processes that link TNF-α and corticosteroid receptor activation to fear learning problems, thereby studying the role of the immune system and the HPA axis in the regulation of fear learning processes.

In addition, we demonstrated in a nested case-control study that glucocorticoid use could significantly increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders, as measured by the initiation of SSRI treatment, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The application of the three alternative research methods in this thesis has provided us with new insights into the development and, potentially, the prevention and treatment of anxiety disorders. We have demonstrated that the serotonergic system, the immune system, and the HPA axis all influence specific fear learning processes, most likely through changes in neuroplasticity. Further investigation of these interactions will provide us with better tools for the further development of prevention and treatment strategies for anxiety disorders. These future studies must, of course, adhere to the principles of open, responsible, and sustainable research.