COVID-19 and Psychotic Symptoms: the View from Psychiatric Immunology

Sarvodaya Tripathy; Nitika Singh; Amit Singh; Sujita Kumar Kar

doi:10.1007/s40473-021-00235-8

COVID-19 and Psychotic Symptoms: the View from Psychiatric Immunology

Curr Behav Neurosci Rep. 2021;8(4):172-178. doi: 10.1007/s40473-021-00235-8. Epub 2021 Oct 4.

Authors

Sarvodaya Tripathy¹, Nitika Singh², Amit Singh², Sujita Kumar Kar²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Microbiology, M.K.C.G Medical College, Brahmapur, Ganjam, Odisha India.
² Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, U.P India.

Abstract

Purpose of review: To explore the immunological underpinnings of psychosis in the COVID-19 patients.

Recent findings: COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in psychiatric morbidities, including psychosis. Various putative biological and psychosocial changes have been implicated in COVID-19-related psychosis. COVID-19 is a proinflammatory state. Alterations in immunological processes both as a direct consequence of infection or secondary to the hyperimmune response heuristically explain the etiopathogenesis of psychosis in the affected individual. The uses of immunosuppressant and immunomodulatory drugs may be the other moderators of a psychotic presentation in COVID-19 patients. Evidence to substantiate this hypothesis is still lacking however, which further studies should address. Because of its management implications, a better understanding of the involved immunological mechanisms becomes extremely important.

Summary: Evidence suggests a putative role of immunological alterations in the pathogenesis of COVID-19-related psychosis. The immunological abnormalities are primarily attributed to the pathophysiology of COVID-19 infection, medications used, and stress.

Keywords: COVID-19; Immunological changes; Inflammation; Psychosis; Schizophrenia.

Publication types

Review