Viral clues found in Schizophrenia

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A new study led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University has found evidence that hepatitis C virus (HCV) may be tied to mental health disorders including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. The findings suggest that viral infections may influence brain chemistry and immune responses in ways that increase vulnerability to psychiatric conditions. While more research is needed to confirm causation, this study could open new pathways for prevention and treatment strategies.

Source

Webster, M.J., Balagopal, A., Quinn, J. et al. Association of viral RNAs in the choroid plexus with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and evidence for the hepatitis C virus involvement in neuropathology. Transl Psychiatry 15, 216 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03387-3

Additional Reading

https://www.sciencealert.com/virus-traces-discovered-in-the-brain-lining-of-people-with-schizophrenia

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/2025/07/new-study-finds-evidence-of-hepatitis-c-virus-in-cells-lining-human-brain#:~:text=The%20analysis%20revealed%20the%20presence,had%20schizophrenia%20or%20bipolar%20disorder.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/virus-traces-discovered-brain-lining-190055598.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMbCvLgquAzCnx1bOTNGZ82-GNihNX9w826LcTo4efZMOfBHFxqGFtS6dNlxrOQnciXKl3JokBCsdW5UJpaGALDN2sHKXbuAOATI5qkwnUQDoTUsVQ2kv4xrN3lKj_MLGFyhC9_IFtalTi_sKjGKru6QxtVnboaxq-E0geox51G_&guccounter=2