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Viruses, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder

R H Yolken¹, E F Torrey

¹Stanley Foundation Neurovirology Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21205.

Clinical Microbiology Reviews

|January 1, 1995

Summary

The infectious agent hypothesis for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is being re-examined. While not yet proven, novel molecular techniques may identify new links between viruses and these serious mental diseases.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Psychiatry
Infectious Diseases

Background:

The hypothesis linking viruses to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder has historical roots and has been recently revived.
This theory could potentially explain various clinical, genetic, and epidemiological features of these disorders, such as birth seasonality and immunological alterations.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the evidence and challenges in establishing a causal link between infectious agents and schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
To highlight the potential of modern molecular techniques in identifying novel infectious agents associated with these mental illnesses.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on viral infections and psychiatric disorders.
Discussion of traditional methods used to study viral links (antibody detection, antigen/genome analysis).
Consideration of limitations in previous research and the potential of new molecular biological techniques.

Main Results:

Direct studies investigating viral infections in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have yielded predominantly negative results.
Most research has focused on antibody detection, with fewer studies exploring viral antigens, genomes, or transmission models.
The current evidence presents an attractive hypothesis with some interesting findings but lacks definitive proof.

Conclusions:

The viral hypothesis for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder remains an area of active investigation.
Despite challenges and predominantly negative findings from traditional methods, molecular biology offers new avenues for research.
Further application of advanced molecular techniques may lead to the identification of novel infectious agents and their association with severe mental diseases.

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