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SARS-CoV-2, Trait Anxiety, and the Microbiome
Pascal Büttiker1, Simon Weissenberger1,2, George B Stefano1
1First Faculty of Medicine, Center for Cognitive and Molecular Neuroscience, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czechia.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
|September 27, 2021
Summary
Viral infections impacting the central nervous system (CNS) may cause psychopathological symptoms. Host-microbiome-virome balance influences disease susceptibility and long-term mental health effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Understanding the host-virus relationship is crucial for managing COVID-19.
- Viral infections can affect the central nervous system (CNS), leading to psychopathological symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review potential mechanisms linking viral CNS infections to psychopathology.
- To explore the role of microbial communication and neuroinflammation in these effects.
Main Methods:
- Review of current research on viral CNS infections and psychopathology.
- Focus on microglial activation, Toll-like receptor signaling, and neurotransmitter shifts.
- Analysis of impacts on cognitive networks and learning processes.
Main Results:
- Chronic microglial activation increases glutamate release, affecting cognitive networks.
- Altered glutamate/gamma-aminobutyric acid ratio contributes to anxiety and suboptimal functioning.
- Host-microbiome-virome homeostasis impacts immune response and long-term psychopathological outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Viral infections can trigger neuroinflammatory pathways leading to psychopathological symptoms.
- The interplay between the host, microbiome, and virome is critical for disease outcomes.
- Further research is needed to elucidate these complex relationships for conditions like COVID-19.
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