Investigating the impact of in utero COVID-19 exposure on neurodevelopment: a translational pipeline of human and preclinical research programs
Speaker: Associate Professor Rachel Hill
Behavioural Neuroscience laboratory
Department of Psychiatry
Monash Medical Center
Investigating the impact of in utero COVID-19 exposure on neurodevelopment: a translational pipeline of human and preclinical research programs
Abstract: Infections during pregnancy are well known to increase risk for the offspring to develop a neurodevelopmental disorder later in life. Of imminent concern then is the risk that COVID-19 infection may cause to the unborn fetus. To this end we established a multisite birth cohort study of infants exposed to COVID-19 in utero from Melbourne, Australia and Londrina, Brazil. Our published data shows poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months of age in infants exposed to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as altered DNA methylation of genes associated with synaptic pathways. Unpublished data from the 2-year-old time point shows altered communication and language as well as higher scores on the Autism diagnostic observation scale (ADOS) in infants exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in utero, as well as altered DNA methylation of 17 genes across both Melbourne and Londrina sites. Site replication in two distinct populations adds significant weighting to the significance of these findings. These data are now being reverse translated back into both human induced pluripotent stem cell and animal models to understand the brain mechanisms that link SARS-CoV-2 exposure to adverse brain and behaviour function. Preventative as well as restorative treatment targets are being investigated in these preclinical models to ultimately improve outcomes in infants exposed to infections in utero.
About Neuroscience Seminars
Neuroscience seminars at the QBI play a major role in the advancement of neuroscience in the Asia-Pacific region. The primary goal of these seminars is to promote excellence in neuroscience through the exchange of ideas, establishing new collaborations and augmenting partnerships already in place.
Seminars in the QBI Auditorium on Level 7 are held on Wednesdays at 12-1pm, which are sometimes simulcast on Zoom (with approval from the speaker). We also occassionally hold seminars from international speakers via Zoom. The days and times of these seminars will vary depending on the time zone of the speaker. Please see each seminar listed below for details.
