From Aging to Ailing: Inflammation, Glutamate and Neurodegeneration Link Depression to Cognitive Decline

Dr. Ebrahim Haroon is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University,and serves as an Attending Psychiatrist at Emory Healthcare. Dr. Haroon’s clinical focus is on treating mood disorders in middle-aged and older adults and addressing behavioral dysfunctions resulting from major medical conditions, such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, and cancer. Dr. Haroon holds board certification in Psychiatry. In addition to his clinical roles, Dr. Haroon is the Associate Director of the Emory Behavioral Immunology Program, a scientific investigator at Winship Cancer Institute, and until recently, an adjunct faculty member at Emory-Georgia Tech's Wallace H. Coulter Biomedical Engineering Center.

Dr. Haroon’s research explores the neuroinflammatory processes underlying mood disorders, particularly the impact of inflammation on glutamate neurotransmission, and how it contributes to cognitive and affective dysfunction. Over the years, his work has been instrumental in identifying inflammation as a key player in depression and other neuropsychiatric conditions, reshaping traditional approaches for diagnosis and treatment. His pioneering psychoneuroimmunology research has advanced our understanding of how inflammatory molecules disrupt glutamate homeostasis, impair glial function, and alter neural connectivity.
Dr. Haroon was among the first to use Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) to demonstrate how inflammation-induced changes in glutamate are linked to depressive symptoms and motivational deficits. His work has also highlighted the role of kynurenine pathways as mediators of immune-brain signaling, linking peripheral immune markers to brain dysfunction.

Throughout Dr. Haroon’s career, he has held various prestigious appointments, including as a core research faculty member at the Winship Cancer Institute in Emory. He has been recognized with numerous awards such as the NARSAD Young Investigator Award and the Emory Healthcare Diamond Provider (ranking me among the top 1% of providers at my institution). His research has been continually funded by NIMH since 2010. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP). His contributions have earned him highly cited publications, invitations to speak at major national and international conferences, and leadership roles in organizations such as the Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society and ACNP.

In addition to Dr. Haroon’s research, he is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of psychiatric leaders, and has guided numerous medical students, residents, and postdoctoral researchers, helping them to advance their careers. His dedication to education is evident in his role in teaching and clinical training at Emory, UCLA, and Yale. Dr. Haroon also serves on editorial boards and reviews grant applications for agencies such as the NIH and contributes to conference organization and scientific committees, all aimed at advancing the fields of psychiatry and neuroscience. Furthermore, his involvement in promoting international psychoneuroimmunology research underscores his dedication to advancing science on a global scale.
 

Objectives:

1. Screening for inflammatory markers in middle-aged and older patients with depression to identify those at a higher risk of cognitive decline.
2. Consider interventions as part of the treatment of depressed adults with elevated inflammatory markers and cognitive impairments.
3. Implement Cognitive Assessments and monitoring in patients with depression, especially those with high inflammatory profiles, to detect early signs of cognitive decline.

The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 1credit AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Continuing Education Units (1) will be available for Social Workers and affiliated reciprocal agencies. Illinois Board License number 159-000112.

The Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.  The Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This event is 1 credit hour continuing education.

No member of the planning committee for this activity have reported a relevant relationship with a commercial interest.  There is no conflict of interest and nothing to disclose.

Ebrahim Haroon, MD has no relevant financial relationship with commercial interests related to this CME activity.