title: Immunological aspects of bipolar disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Significant changes in immune function have been found in mood disorders. Controlled studies in bipolar disorder concerning cell-mediated immunity and thyroid autoimmunity are reviewed, and presented together with preliminary findings from our own ongoing study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using Medline and other sources, 14 controlled studies as well as some other relevant studies were found.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bipolar disorder is associated with an acute phase response and activation of the cell-mediated immune system, and with an increased prevalence of antithyroid autoantibodies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Changes in immune function, in connection with neuroendocrine changes, may provide new hypotheses for the pathophysiology of mood disorders.
authors.affiliation: 1Altrecht Institute for Mental Health Care,Utrecht,The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Kupka
authors.affiliation: 1Altrecht Institute for Mental Health Care,Utrecht,The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hillegers
authors.affiliation: 1Altrecht Institute for Mental Health Care,Utrecht,The Netherlands.
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Nolen
authors.affiliation: 4Department of Immunology,Erasmus University Rotterdam,The Netherlands.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Breunis
authors.affiliation: 4Department of Immunology,Erasmus University Rotterdam,The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Drexhage