Examining The Relationship Between C-Reactive Proteins, Executive Function, and Self Reported Mood Disturbances
Disciplines
Cognitive Psychology | Cognitive Science | Neuroscience and Neurobiology | Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Over 20 million individuals in America have had at least one major depressive episode and 18.6% are young adults (SAMHSA, 2023). Depression is just one of the mental health disorders that is leading to the estimated 5 trillion USD associated with the global mental health burden (Arias et al., 2022). C-reactive protein (CRP), a measure of systemic and neuroinflammation, is an emerging biomarker for mood disorders. Higher CRP levels have been associated with bipolar disorder (Chang et al., 2017), manic symptoms in individuals who have major depressive disorder (Becking et al., 2013), and may predict stress disorders like PTSD (Friend et al., 2022). Along with mood disorders, CRP is also a potential predictor for diminished executive functions like burnout (Toker et al., 2005) and impaired memory (Noble et al., 2010). This study investigates the relationship among CRP levels, executive functioning, and self-reported mood disturbances (i.e., depression and stress). Participants completed a series of questionnaires including demographics, the adverse childhood events checklist (ACES), the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS). Saliva samples were collected and will be measured to quantify CRP using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs; Salimetrics, State College, PA). Participants also completed a series of computerized tasks, including a number-letter switching task (NLT), to measure cognitive flexibility (millisecond.com). We anticipate that neural inflammation, as indicated by CRP levels, will moderate the effects of adverse childhood experiences and substance use on cognitive flexibility. Our hope is that integrating self-report, cognitive, and biological perspectives will yield insights into the psychological basis of various mental health disturbances. If so, CRP may offer a useful biomarker for monitoring and evaluating treatment progress in mood disorders by helping to link inflammation with symptom changes.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Psychological Science
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Sharon Pearcey
Additional Faculty
Erica Holiday, Psychological Science, ehollid1@kennesaw.edu
Examining The Relationship Between C-Reactive Proteins, Executive Function, and Self Reported Mood Disturbances
Over 20 million individuals in America have had at least one major depressive episode and 18.6% are young adults (SAMHSA, 2023). Depression is just one of the mental health disorders that is leading to the estimated 5 trillion USD associated with the global mental health burden (Arias et al., 2022). C-reactive protein (CRP), a measure of systemic and neuroinflammation, is an emerging biomarker for mood disorders. Higher CRP levels have been associated with bipolar disorder (Chang et al., 2017), manic symptoms in individuals who have major depressive disorder (Becking et al., 2013), and may predict stress disorders like PTSD (Friend et al., 2022). Along with mood disorders, CRP is also a potential predictor for diminished executive functions like burnout (Toker et al., 2005) and impaired memory (Noble et al., 2010). This study investigates the relationship among CRP levels, executive functioning, and self-reported mood disturbances (i.e., depression and stress). Participants completed a series of questionnaires including demographics, the adverse childhood events checklist (ACES), the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS). Saliva samples were collected and will be measured to quantify CRP using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs; Salimetrics, State College, PA). Participants also completed a series of computerized tasks, including a number-letter switching task (NLT), to measure cognitive flexibility (millisecond.com). We anticipate that neural inflammation, as indicated by CRP levels, will moderate the effects of adverse childhood experiences and substance use on cognitive flexibility. Our hope is that integrating self-report, cognitive, and biological perspectives will yield insights into the psychological basis of various mental health disturbances. If so, CRP may offer a useful biomarker for monitoring and evaluating treatment progress in mood disorders by helping to link inflammation with symptom changes.