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Activation of the Maternal Immune System as a Risk Factor for Neuropsychiatric Disorders

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Book cover Maternal Influences on Fetal Neurodevelopment

Abstract

Maternal infection can alter the intrauterine environment, placing the developing fetus at risk. Serious infections of the mother or the fetus can cause severe problems or even miscarriage. The more common and seemingly benign infections, such as influenza, do not appear associated with such severe outcomes. However, recent work has shown that maternal inflammation associated with any infection has the potential to alter the fetal brain development. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a strong association between maternal infection and subsequent development of neuropsychiatric illness in the offspring. Mouse models of maternal infection have shown long-lasting changes in the brain of offspring following maternal immune activation (MIA), as well as behavioral abnormalities related to human neuropsychiatric illness. Recent work has begun to elucidate the mechanisms through which the activated maternal immune system alters fetal brain development. We review the evidence from human and rodent studies showing that maternal infection is a risk factor for neuropsychiatric illness, and describe initial steps in a molecular mechanism mediating the effects of maternal immune activation on fetal brain development.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Wensi Sheng for designing Fig. 7.1. Work from the authors’ laboratory received support from the National Association for Autism Research, the NIMH, and the McKnight Foundation.

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  1. Biology Division, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA

    Stephen E. P. Smith

  2. Departments of Neurology and Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, E/CLS-717, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Stephen E. P. Smith

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  1. Stephen E. P. Smith
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  2. Elaine Hsiao
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  3. Paul H. Patterson
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Correspondence to Stephen E. P. Smith .

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  1. Kennedy Krieger Institute, Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Johns Hopkins University, N. Broadway 707, Baltimore, 21205, Maryland, USA

    Andrew W. Zimmerman

  2. Massachusetts General Hospital for Child, Lurie Family Autism Center / LADDERS Cli, 1 Maguire Rd., Lexington, 02421, Massachusetts, USA

    Susan L. Connors

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Smith, S.E.P., Hsiao, E., Patterson, P.H. (2010). Activation of the Maternal Immune System as a Risk Factor for Neuropsychiatric Disorders. In: Zimmerman, A., Connors, S. (eds) Maternal Influences on Fetal Neurodevelopment. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-921-5_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-921-5_7

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60327-921-5

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