Infections and Brain Development

Abstract

Several different bodies of evidence support a link between infection and altered brain development. Maternal infections, such as influenza and human immunodeficiency virus, have been linked to the development of autism spectrum disorders, differences in cognitive test scores, and bipolar disorder; an association that has been shown in both epidemiologic and retrospective studies. Several viral, bacterial, and parasitic illnesses are associated with alterations in fetal brain structural anomalies including brain calcifications and hydrocephalus. The process of infection can activate inflammatory pathways causing the release of various proinflammatory biomarkers and histological changes consistent with an infectious intrauterine environment (chorioamnionitis) or umbilical cord (funisitis). Elevations in inflammatory cytokines are correlated with cerebral palsy, schizophrenias, and autism. Animal studies indicate that the balance of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines is critical to the effect prenatal inflammation plays in neurodevelopment. Finally, chorioamnionitis is associated with cerebral palsy and other abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes. In conclusion, a plethora of evidence supports, albeit with various degrees of certainty, the theory that maternal infection and inflammation that occur during critical periods of fetal development could theoretically alter brain structure and function in a time-sensitive manner.

Prenatal exposure to non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children

“…Confounding by indication is of particular concern in studying NSAID use during pregnancy, as the reasons for using these medications may affect child neurodevelopment and reporting of child neurodevelopment directly. As NSAIDs are often used to treat fever, pain, and inflammation, it could be that these underlying conditions could be risk factors for neurodevelopmental problems . While we were able to adjust for a rich set of measures on maternal psychopathology and other characteristics, apparent associations may still be explained by residual confounding.…”

Feeding intolerance, inflammation, and neurobehaviors in preterm infants

“…Infants with FI may have an immature and underdeveloped nervous system that would affect their brain-gut-immune axis thus leading to more immature neurobehaviors. In particular, the elevation of certain cytokines are associated with abnormal development, including IL6, IL8, and TNFα (Cordeiro et al, 2015). However, much remains unclear about the role of cytokines in human development and particularly with their predictive value.…”

Maternal Inflammation, Fetal Brain Implications and Suggested Neuroprotection: A Summary of 10 Years of Research in Animal Models

“…While early insult is associated with structural brain abnormalities such as neural tube defects (primary neurulation), later insults may disrupt the migration process of post-mitotic neurons and lead to aberrant cortical development 28. Late-gestation insults have been found to associate more with cognitive, behavioral, and psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, autism, and obsessive compulsive disorders 27,32,33…”