Molecular Mimicry
The phenomenon to consider when discussing autoimmune issues of not only the brain, but also the rest of the body, is molecular mimicry.
Molecular mimicry occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues because of similarities between a particular molecule on an infectious agent (like a bacteria or virus) and the molecules in our own body tissues.
Molecular mimicry is believed to play a large role in other autoimmune diseases too.
For example, rheumatic fever can also result after an untreated strep infection. Normally, the immune system produces antibodies to destroy strep bacteria, but in some people, this process goes wrong and antibodies also attack healthy heart tissue.
Rheumatoid arthritis is another example of molecular mimicry resulting in autoimmune disease, which occurs when antibodies attack the joints. Molecular mimicry has also been seen with chronic Lyme disease (6).
Molecular Mimicry, Multiple Sclerosis, and the Central Nervous System
Molecular mimicry also provides an explanation for the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is sometimes thought to be triggered by the immune system’s response to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), also known as mono.
Immune cells mistakenly attack components of myelin, thinking they’re targeting the virus molecules that have similar building blocks (7). Myelin forms the protective coating around nerve cells, and helps electrical impulses jump from one nerve to the next. When it’s damaged, nerve cells can’t communicate with each other as well, resulting in numbness, muscle weakness, and severe fatigue.
A study of 801 MS cases from more than 10 million people over 20 years found that EBV infection was present in all but one case at the time of MS onset (8).
Learn more about integrative medicine treatments for autoimmune disease.
Treatment for Infections Causing Neuroinflammation
Infections that cause neurological symptoms were once thought to be an extremely rare occurrence, but recent evidence suggests symptoms are more common than initially thought.
Proper diagnosis of these infections is crucial and can involve a combination of laboratory tests, clinical observation, and history taking.
Treatment for infections causing neuroinflammation typically involves antibiotics to eradicate the underlying infection, along with immunosuppressant medication to decrease inflammation and modulate the immune response. When the underlying root cause is identified and treated, these symptoms typically resolve or are greatly reduced
The Connection Between Infections & Mental Health
Infections can not only trigger physical symptoms, but mental health symptoms as well. The impact of infections on the immune system and the blood-brain barrier can lead to a cascade of events that result in neuropsychiatric disorders. Understanding this connection is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment of these once thought rare conditions. Further research is needed to fully understand the complex mechanisms at play, but it is clear that infections should not be overlooked as potential triggers for mental health issues.
If you or a loved one experience sudden changes in behavior, mood, or movement after an infection, a deeper look into the underlying causes is key to long-term healing.
