The urgent need for more basic research on SARS-Cov2 infection and vaccines in assessing potential psychoneurological effects using maternal immune activation (MIA) and other preclinical modeling

Abstract

\n The rapid development and application of different SARS-Cov2 vaccines world-wide has resulted in impressive efficacy and protection from the pandemic. However, the existence of different and continuously developing vaccine candidates coupled with the likelihood of continued application due to both waning immune responses and emergence of viral mutants, means that more basic research regarding their efficacy and continued application are needed. This is particularly true with use of preclinical models involving effects when given during pregnancy. The substantial body of data on the impact of maternal immune activation (MIA) on neurologic development and behavior in the progeny necessitates the need to have all vaccine candidates, particularly when inducing strong toll receptor (TLR) responses, involving these models. However, to foster these types of basic research studies involving different vaccine products, initiatives must first be implemented by the NIH and FDA even while clinical data still accumulates.\n