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Maternal Immune Activation and Neuropsychiatric Disease in Offspring: Pathogen’s Perspective
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  • Zhiyang Yin,
  • Catherine. Gordon,
  • Zikai Zhou,
  • Minjun Ji,
  • Zhipeng Xu
Zhiyang Yin
Nanjing Medical University State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine
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Catherine. Gordon
QIMR Berghofer Infectious Diseases Division
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Zikai Zhou
Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Minjun Ji
Nanjing Medical University State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine
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Zhipeng Xu
Nanjing Medical University State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine

Corresponding Author:zhipengxu@njmu.edu.cn

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Abstract

javascript:void(0) Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are identified as inability in the field of cognition, emotion and motor development, as the outcome of complex interactions between nature and nurture. Evidence from human epidemiological studies has supported the association between NDDs and maternal inflammation. Typically, exposure to pathogens (including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites) induced maternal immune activation (MIA) revealed a novel perspective in the pathogenesis of NDDs in the prenatal stage, which could be attributed to maternal inflammation, altered microbiota etc. In this review, we highlight the primary mechanisms underlying MIA-induced NDDs caused by pathogens and/or pathogen-derived agents. Moreover, we outline therapeutic strategies to mitigate pathogen-induced MIA-associated neurological disorders, with the primary goal of preventing or managing pathogen exposure during pregnancy and minimizing the long-term effects on the offspring.