Research Article Maternal Immune Activation as a Critical Environmental Risk Factor in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications
by Qi Yong1, Chao Zhao1, Lu Xia2, Tengfei Zhu3*, Kun Xia3*
1The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, China
2 Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, China
3MOE Key Laboratory of Pediatric Rare Diseases, University of South China, China.
*Corresponding author: Kun Xia, MOE Key Laboratory of Pediatric Rare Diseases & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
Received Date: September 25, 2025
Accepted Date: October 06, 2025
Published Date: October 08, 2025
Citation: Yong Q, Zhao C, Xia L, Zhu T, Xia K, et al. (2025) Maternal Immune Activation as a Critical Environmental Risk Factor in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications. J Neurol Exp Neural Sci 7: 163. https://doi.org/10.29011/2577-1442.100063
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs) represent chronic cerebral dysfunctions arising from gene-environment interactions, encompassing conditions such Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD). Emerging evidence identifies Maternal immune activation (MIA) as a critical environmental risk factor for NDDs. Gestational infections, inflammatory responses, or immune dysregulation elevate maternal-fetal inflammatory mediators, which disrupt neurodevelopmental trajectories via placental-fetal signaling cascades. Preclinical models (rodents, non-human primates) demonstrate that MIA induces characteristic NDD phenotypes-including social deficits and cognitive impairments-through microglial hyperactivation, aberrant synaptic pruning, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Concurrently, gut microbiota dysbiosis and Th17/Treg immune imbalance exacerbate neuroinflammatory processes. Novel therapeutic strategies targeting inflammatory pathways microglial modulation, or microbial homeostasis restoration show translational promise. Future investigations must unravel MIA's molecular underpinnings and multifactorial interactions to enable early-risk stratification and precision interventions for NDDs.
© by the Authors & Gavin Publishers. This is an Open Access Journal Article Published Under Attribution-Share Alike CC BY-SA: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International License. Read More About Open Access Policy.