Interconnections: Cortisol, Microglia and Neuroinflammation in Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious and chronic psychiatric disorder that affects approximately 1% of the global population. Characterized by a wide range of symptoms, schizophrenia is multifactorial, with genetic, environmental, and stress factors havinga key role in its development. In this context, cortisol, a stress-related hormone, and microglia, immune cells of the central nervous system, emerge as key players in understanding schizophrenia. In this study, the interconnections between cortisol, microglia, and neuroinflammation in the aetiology of schizophrenia were explored. Recent scientific evidence highlights the importance of these elements in modulating the stress response and their potential impact on neuroinflammation and the development of schizophrenia. Furthermore, the clinical relevance of these interactions and their potential for the development of new therapeutic approaches are highlighted. Through this analysis, we sought to provide a comprehensive view of the complex interactions between cortisol, microglia, and neuroinflammation and their role in schizophrenia, highlighting the need for future investigations and integrated approaches to treating this debilitating mental illness. This review involved an extensive bibliographic search in electronic databases, such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect, as well as other sources, including books and websites. Descriptors such as "schizophrenia", "glial cells", "cortisol", "oxidative stress", and "neuroinflammation" were used, without systematic search inclusion and exclusion criteria. Relevant studies were selected based on the evaluation of titles and abstracts, prioritizing recent publications in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. The results covered information about schizophrenia, genetic and biochemical aspects, and treatments, presented through narrative texts and figures.

Keywords: psychiatric disorder; hormone; adrenal glands; glial cell; neuronal inflammation