Prenatal exposure to viral infection and neuropsychiatric disorders in offspring: A review of the literature and recommendations for the COVID-19 pandemic

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Anna Zimmer, Emory University; Alix Youngblood, Emory University; Asam Adnane, Emory University; Brian J Miller, Augusta University; David Goldsmith, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-01-01
• Publisher: ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2020.10.024
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
• Volume: 91
• Start Page: 756
• End Page: 770
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by funds from the National Institute of Mental Health (grant number K23MH114037 to DRG).
• Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; SYNDROME CORONAVIRUS INFECTION; Neurosciences & Neurology; Infection; IN-UTERO EXPOSURE; Immunology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Psychiatry; PREGNANCY; ACUTE-RESPIRATORY-SYNDROME; Science & Technology; SYNDROME SARS; RISK-FACTOR; INFLUENZA EPIDEMICS; Neurodevelopment; Pre-natal exposure; MATERNAL IMMUNE ACTIVATION; PERINATAL OUTCOMES; Neurosciences; ADULT SCHIZOPHRENIA; Schizophrenia risk
• Research Categories: Psychology, Behavioral; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has emerged as a striking 21st century pandemic. Communities across the globe have experienced significant infection rates and widespread psychosocial stress and trauma, leading to calls for increased allocation of resources for mental health screening and treatment. In addition to the burden of psychosocial stress, there is increasing evidence of direct viral neuroinvasion of the central nervous system through physical contact with the nasal mucosa. In a parallel fashion, there is a significant body of ongoing research related to the risk of in utero viral transmission and the resulting neurodevelopmental impact in the fetus. Aberrant neurodevelopment secondary to viral transmission has previously been related to the later development of psychosis, schizophrenia, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders, generating the hypothesis that this population of individuals exposed to SARS-CoV-2 may see an increased incidence in future decades. We discuss the current understanding of the possible neurotropism and vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and relate this to the history of viral pandemics to better understand the relationship of viral infection, aberrant immune response and neurodevelopment, and the risk for schizophrenia disorder.