JoVE - Journal of Visualized Experiments
JoVE Visualize
Contact Us

Causes and countermeasures for the increased infection and COVID-19 mortality rates in patients with schizophrenia

  • 0Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Brain Science Research Transformation in Tropical Environment of Hainan Province, School of Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Hainan Medical University, China.
Ibro Neuroscience Reports +

|

December 5, 2024

|

December 5, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Schizophrenia patients face higher COVID-19 infection and mortality risks due to shared molecular pathways involving energy metabolism and immune disruption. Addressing socioeconomic and healthcare barriers is crucial for this vulnerable population.

Area Of Science

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background

  • Schizophrenia (SCZ) patients exhibit elevated SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 mortality rates.
  • The underlying reasons for SCZ patients' increased vulnerability to COVID-19 remain unclear.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate shared molecular pathways implicated in both SCZ and COVID-19.
  • To explore the roles of energy metabolism, immune system disruption, and central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities.
  • To examine macro-factors contributing to adverse COVID-19 outcomes in SCZ patients.

Main Methods

  • Review of existing literature on molecular pathways in SCZ and COVID-19.
  • Analysis of the interplay between energy metabolism, immune function, and CNS abnormalities.
  • Discussion of sociodemographic factors, healthcare access, and vaccination barriers.

Main Results

  • Dysregulated energy metabolism may link to immune and CNS abnormalities in both conditions.
  • Immune system disturbances appear to contribute to CNS abnormalities in SCZ and COVID-19.
  • Macro-factors significantly impact infection and mortality rates in SCZ patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions

  • Shared molecular pathways, particularly in energy metabolism and immune function, likely increase SCZ patients' COVID-19 risk.
  • Addressing healthcare disparities and socioeconomic factors is essential for mitigating COVID-19's impact on SCZ patients.

Keywords:

Related Concept Videos

Schizophrenia 01:17

68

Schizophrenia, a term introduced by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911, describes a severe psychological disorder marked by profound disruptions in attention, thought processes, language, emotion, and interpersonal relationships. The core feature of schizophrenia is psychosis — a state characterized by a fundamental detachment from reality. This disconnection manifests through distorted logic, impaired perception, and atypical behavior, severely affecting the lives of those...

Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia 01:30

43

Negative symptoms of schizophrenia indicate a reduction or absence of typical behaviors and emotional responses found in healthy individuals, while positive symptoms reflect an excess or distortion of normal functioning.
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...

Biological Causes of Schizophrenia 01:29

46

Schizophrenia, a severe psychiatric disorder, arises from a complex interplay of biological factors, including genetic predisposition, structural brain abnormalities, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and developmental irregularities. These factors collectively contribute to the onset and progression of the disorder, which typically manifests in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin...

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders 01:27

453

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within...

Positive Symptoms Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions 01:26

48

Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by a range of symptoms that significantly impact cognition, behavior, and emotional regulation. Among these, the positive symptoms stand out as they involve the addition or exaggeration of normal mental functions, deviating markedly from typical behavior and perception. Hallucinations and delusions are prominent positive symptoms, each profoundly affecting the individual's experience of reality.
Hallucinations
Hallucinations in...

Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions 01:30

61

Schizophrenia is a complex mental health disorder that can manifest with various positive symptoms, including thought, movement, and behavior disorders. These symptoms significantly disrupt cognitive and motor functions, leading to profound effects on an individual's ability to engage with the world.
Thought Disorders
Disorganized and unusual thought processes mark thought disorders in schizophrenia. One key feature is disorganized speech, where an individual's conversation includes...