Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Mental Illness: Mechanisms Linking Mood, Metabolism and Medicines

Overview

Journal Front Neurosci

Date 2022 Dec 2

PMID 36458039

Authors

Anwesha Gangopadhyay

Radwa Ibrahim

Karli Theberge

Meghan May

Karen L Houseknecht

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the world and one of the leading indications for liver transplantation. It is one of the many manifestations of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome as well as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. There is growing evidence linking the incidence of NAFLD with psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression mechanistically genetic, metabolic, inflammatory and environmental factors including smoking and psychiatric medications. Indeed, patients prescribed antipsychotic medications, regardless of diagnosis, have higher incidence of NAFLD than population norms. The mechanistic pharmacology of antipsychotic-associated NAFLD is beginning to emerge. In this review, we aim to discuss the pathophysiology of NAFLD including its risk factors, insulin resistance and systemic inflammation as well as its intersection with psychiatric illnesses.

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