JoVE - Journal of Visualized Experiments
JoVE Visualize
Contact Us

Involvement of virus infections and antiviral agents in schizophrenia

  • 0Departamento de Psicología Social y de las Organizaciones, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain.
Psychological Medicine +

|

March 10, 2025

|

March 10, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Prenatal viral infections may increase schizophrenia risk by affecting fetal brain development. Antiviral drugs can also cause neuropsychiatric side effects, though their link to schizophrenia is unclear.

Area Of Science

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Infectious Diseases

Background

  • Schizophrenia is a complex disorder influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
  • Prenatal viral infections are a significant risk factor for adult schizophrenia.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To review the association between viral infections and schizophrenia.
  • To examine the neuropsychiatric effects of antiviral drugs in schizophrenia.

Main Methods

  • A narrative review of scientific literature.
  • Searches conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases.

Main Results

  • Viral infections (e.g., herpesviruses, influenza) can disrupt fetal brain development, contributing to schizophrenia.
  • Antiviral drugs frequently cause neuropsychiatric adverse effects.

Conclusions

  • Epidemiological data suggest a link between viruses and schizophrenia.
  • Inflammatory cytokines and gene expression changes in viral infections may be key factors.
  • Antivirals' CNS effects are noted but require further research for a clear schizophrenia link.

Keywords:

Related Concept Videos

Biological Causes of Schizophrenia 01:29

29

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

353

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...

Schizophrenia 01:17

52

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...

Positive Symptoms Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions 01:26

41

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

48

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...

Retrovirus Life Cycles 01:10

45.5K

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the...