Fan F, Wang B, Wang Q, Chen ZL, Li WF, Han F. Nuclear factor-κB as a key inflammatory mediator in psychiatric diseases: A narrative review. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(8): 120501 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.120501]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Fei Han, Department of Paediatrics, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China. hf4383@126.com
Research Domain of This Article
Psychiatry
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review-article
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Fan F, Wang B, Wang Q, Chen ZL, Li WF, Han F. Nuclear factor-κB as a key inflammatory mediator in psychiatric diseases: A narrative review. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(8): 120501 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.120501]
World J Psychiatry. Aug 19, 2026; 16(8): 120501 Published online Aug 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.120501
Nuclear factor-κB as a key inflammatory mediator in psychiatric diseases: A narrative review
Fei Fan, Bo Wang, Qiong Wang, Zi-Lin Chen, Wei-Feng Li, Fei Han
Fei Fan, Bo Wang, Qiong Wang, Zi-Lin Chen, Wei-Feng Li, Fei Han, Department of Paediatrics, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China
Author contributions: Chen ZL, Li WF and Fan F led analysis and writing of the manuscript; Fan F and Wang B performed experimental operations; Wang Q and Han F supervised the research. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
AI contribution statement: AI tools (specifically Paperpal) were used solely for linguistic refinement and formatting assistance. No AI tool was involved in the generation of research data, interpretation of results, or formulation of conclusions. All AI-generated outputs were critically reviewed and revised by the authors.
Supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Public Welfare Research Institutes, No. ZZ17-XRZ-043.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Corresponding author: Fei Han, Department of Paediatrics, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China. hf4383@126.com
Received: February 28, 2026 Revised: March 21, 2026 Accepted: May 6, 2026 Published online: August 19, 2026 Processing time: 139 Days and 17.7 Hours
Abstract
Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a central transcription factor that links peripheral immune activation to neuroinflammatory responses in the brain, playing a key role in the pathophysiology of several psychiatric disorders. This review examines the aberrant activation of NF-κB in major depressive disorders, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. It delves into the cell-type-specific mechanisms through which NF-κB modulates neuroinflammation, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal function in microglia, astrocytes, and neurons, and explore its interactions with other key pathways, such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha, and NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3. Furthermore, we summarize current indirect and direct therapeutic strategies targeting NF-κB signaling and discuss the potential of biomarker-guided personalized medicine.
Core Tip: Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a central transcription factor linking peripheral immune dysregulation to neuroinflammation in psychiatric disorders. It exerts cell-type-specific effects on microglia, astrocytes, and neurons, interacting with nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha, and NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 pathways. Targeting NF-κB and its regulators offers promising therapeutic potential for personalized psychiatry.
