05/28/2026
Neuroinflammation is a complex series of immune responses designed to protect the neuronal environment from damage. Ingoing neuroinflammation disrupts normal neuronal functioning, decreases the availability of neurotransmitters and triggers structural and functional changes in the brain that affect cognition and mood.1
How can you tell if neuroinflammation if part of your patients’ clinical picture?
Symptoms can be varied as neuroinflammation affects the brain and central nervous system broadly, and often overlaps with neurological, psychiatric and systemic symptoms.
Clinically, neuroinflammation can present as a cluster of symptoms which may include:
• cognitive dysfunction - brain fog, poor memory, reduced processing speed
• mood changes - anxiety, low mood, irritability
• persistent fatigue, often accompanied by sleep disturbance
Higher levels of neuroinflammation are seen in ageing, stressed individuals and inflammatory conditions. It may also be caused by environmental toxins and endogenous toxins driven by poor diet and lifestyle choices.
Neuroinflammation is also an underlying mechanism in many neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions including dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, anxiety disorders, and autism.1,2
Are you considering neuroinflammation in your herbal treatment strategies?
Sources:
1. Rhie SJ, et al. The role of neuroinflammation on pathogenesis of affective disorders. J Exerc Rehabil. 2020 Feb 26;16(1):2-9.
2. Hong H, et al. Pathophysiological role of neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders. Int Neurourol J. 2016 May;20(Suppl 1):S2-7.