COVID-19 and psychosis risk: Real or delusional concern?

Watson, Cameron J, Thomas, Rhys H, Solomon, Tom ORCID: 0000-0001-7266-6547, Michael, Benedict Daniel ORCID: 0000-0002-8693-8926, Nicholson, Timothy R and Pollak, Thomas A (2021) COVID-19 and psychosis risk: Real or delusional concern? NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS, 741. 135491-.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135491

Abstract

Historical epidemiological perspectives from past pandemics and recent neurobiological evidence link infections and psychoses, leading to concerns that COVID-19 will present a significant risk for the development of psychosis. But are these concerns justified, or mere sensationalism? In this article we review the historical associations between viral infection and the immune system more broadly in the development of psychosis, before critically evaluating the current evidence pertaining to SARS-CoV-2 and risk of psychosis as an acute or post-infectious manifestation of COVID-19. We review the 42 cases of psychosis reported in infected patients to date, and discuss the potential implications of in utero infection on subsequent neurodevelopment and psychiatric risk. Finally, in the context of the wider neurological and psychiatric manifestations of COVID-19 and our current understanding of the aetiology of psychotic disorders, we evaluate possible neurobiological and psychosocial mechanisms as well as the numerous challenges in ascribing a causal pathogenic role to the infection.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Psychosis, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Neuropsychiatry, Neurology, Psychiatry, Schizophrenia, Encephalitis
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	21 May 2021 08:15
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 22:56
DOI:	10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135491
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3117578