Mental Illness and Comorbid Metabolic Disorders: Neuroendocrine Mechanisms

Recent findings in neuroendocrinology challenge our traditional understanding of hormonal action, particularly in the context of mental illness. While substantial research has focused on neurotransmitters with brain function, endocrine regulation in mental illness has gained comparatively less attention. Significant gaps remain between the aetiologies of these conditions and the development of optimal therapies.

Some hormones that act in the brain are known to be able to induce molecular changes related to neurotransmitter action and brain plasticity. These hormonal effects are not isolated to perivascular tissues but extend to the central nervous system. Even synthetic hormones, especially those in anti-inflammatory drugs, have a significant impact on steroid psychosis, behavioral and cognitive impairments, as well as on neuropeptide functions.

Patients with neuropsychiatric disorders often exhibit homeostatic imbalances that predispose them to metabolic syndromes, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, or dysglycaemia. These metabolic disorders are also closely associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, such as dysregulated cholesterol metabolism. Consequently, patients with psychiatric disorders may be at an elevated risk of developing comorbid metabolic disorders, such as metabolic syndrome.

The complexities of neuronal morphology and the high-energy processes are required to maintain and regulate neuronal transmission and synaptic plasticity. Even slight changes in metabolic processes could seriously impact the function of neurons and thus increase the susceptibility to brain disorders.

This Research Topic aims to compile a collection of recent papers and reviews that address the development and clinical application of neuroendocrine mechanisms in psychiatric conditions and comorbid metabolic disorders. We invite submissions focusing on neuroendocrine effects in mental illness and their comorbid metabolic disorders, including but not limited to:
• Neuroendocrine mechanisms of mental disorders, clinical and mechanistic studies on comorbid metabolic disorders of mental disorders
• The association of the neuroendocrine/metabolic syndrome with clinical outcomes and the course of the disease in different clinical states of mental illness
• Metabolomics research on neuroendocrine effects in mental illness and comorbid metabolic disorders
• Neuroendocrinological understanding of the relationship between psychiatric disorders and metabolic syndrome
• Neuroendocrinological effects of hormones, especially synthetic hormones and drugs, in mental illness and comorbid metabolic disorders
• The neuroendocrinological mechanism of psychotropic drugs (focusing on those with lower risk for inducing metabolic syndrome) and the evaluation of their efficacy and safety
• Developing neuroendocrinological screening standards for patients with comorbid metabolic syndrome both pre- and during psychotropic drug treatment
• Exploring neuroendocrinological treatment options for preventing, screening and managing metabolic syndrome in psychiatric patients.

Note:
Topic Editor Dr. Sujit Nair is employed by Phytoveda Pvt. Ltd and declares no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic.

Keywords: metabolic disorders, neuropsychiatric disorders, metabolic syndrome, hormone, comorbidity, mental illness

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.