Author: admin

Despite no existing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine reserved for infants, maternal vaccines have demonstrated longer protection than monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), according to a study published in the Journal of Mother and Child.¹

“RSV is a prevalent cause of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), and can progress to lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), particularly in vulnerable groups, such as infants, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly,” wrote authors of the study. “Beyond causing immediate illness, RSV infections in infancy have been linked to persistent wheezing and the long-term development of asthma.”

For infants, their mothers, and the providers that care for them, RSV is one of the most challenging health-related complications that they face. According to a study from Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, RSV-related LRTI are responsible for up to 3 million hospitalizations and 120,000 deaths each year among children under 5.²

READ MORE: Pharmacist, Provider Partnership Can Help Increase RSV Vaccine Uptake

Previous evidence shows that the most at-risk populations when it comes to RSV, URTI, and LRTI are infants and elderly adults 65 or over. While the elderly population have 3 RSV vaccine formulations available—Abrysvo, Arexvy, or Mresvia—the RSV antibody nirsevimab for children younger than 8 months is the frontline option for keeping them protected against LRTI and URTI.^3,4

Authors of the current study and CDC recommendations have supported evidence that mothers who receive the RSV vaccine can pass antibodies to their newborns, providing protection against RSV for up to the child’s first 6 months.^1,4

“Immunization is a key approach for protecting infants and children against RSV, either whether it is passive immunization via mAbs and maternal antibodies, or active immunization via RSV vaccination,” they continued.¹ “This narrative review aims to critically compare various immunization methods for children against RSV, discussing the strengths, limitations, and future directions of each.”

In over 50 years of vaccine development, researchers have persistently failed at bringing an RSV vaccine to market for protection among infants. With no methods of keeping one of the more at-risk populations protected, researchers later developed palivizumab as a mAb option available for infants. Since then, in 2023, the FDA approved nirsevimab for its similar effects among infants, but its availability is known to be limited.

“Palivizumab’s use is confined to a narrow segment of the pediatric population—those under 35 weeks of gestational age and those up to 6 months of age at the RSV season’s onset, along with individuals with specific underlying conditions,” wrote the authors.¹ “Consequently, most infants remain unprotected against RSV. Therefore, protecting all infants up to 6 months of age is only possible through maternal immunization or using extended duration mAbs.”

Maternal immunization, or transplacental antibody transfer, would be the alternative option for parents choosing not to directly vaccinate their infants with mAbs. And as a significant amount of evidence suggests, this may be the best option for protecting children against RSV. If timed right, toward the end of pregnancy, a mother receiving the RSV vaccine could provide the strongest protection for infants during their first, most vulnerable 6 months of life.

As of right now, the best method of maternal immunization is by vaccinating mothers between 32 and 36 weeks with Pfizer’s bivalent RSVpreF vaccine (Abrysvo). However, despite this being the currently accepted approach for maternal immunization among children, many uncertainties persist regarding antibody detection and effects of the vaccine waning for mothers or their newborns.

Amid competing options for helping infants avoid RSV, researchers compared the 2 methods.

“Despite years of investigation, a dedicated RSV vaccine for children remains unavailable. However, recent FDA approval of maternal RSV vaccines has shifted the paradigm, as these vaccines provide longer-duration protection to infants compared to mAbs,” they wrote.¹ “Current guidelines recommend that if a mother receives the RSV vaccine during pregnancy, the infant from that pregnancy may not require mAbs.”

While recent developments of maternal RSV vaccines have exhibited continued success among infants, researchers still believe a personalized approach for mothers and their newborns is necessary. Despite maternal vaccines potentially demonstrating better efficacy than mAbs, insurance coverage, past RSV experiences, health care access, provider counsel, and existing RSV knowledge all play significant roles as factors influencing a mother’s choice to vaccinate.

As of January of this year, according to CDC data, 38% of pregnant women in the US were vaccinated against RSV, leaving a large majority of expected newborns with no protection against the virus upon birth. Other studies have reported that overall protection against RSV among infants was about 55.8%, with 44.6% provided the nirsevimab antibodies.⁶

Amid constant research and development, providers have yet to accept one universal approach in protecting newborn infants against RSV. And with large portions of the pregnant population failing to seek protection for their children, providers are tasked with navigating the various guidelines and which recommendations to provide specific patients.

Researchers hope the current study can better inform further developments of RSV vaccination strategies within this significantly at-risk population.

“Further clinical research is necessary to comprehensively compare the safety, efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and disease burden between infants whose mothers received the RSV vaccine and those whose mothers received mAbs,” concluded the authors.¹ “This study will contribute to a more informed and evidence-based approach to RSV immunization strategies for infants and children.”

READ MORE: Immunization Resource Center

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References

1. Ali A, Shamim L, Ibrahim A, et al. Maternal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination: current status and comparison to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for RSV prevention in infants and children. JMC. Published online August 15, 2025:93-100. https://doi.org/10.34763/jmotherandchild.20252901.d-25-00012

2. Baraldi E, Checcucci Lisi G, Costantino C, et al. RSV disease in infants and young children: Can we see a brighter future? Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2022 Nov 30;18(4):2079322. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2079322.

3. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): the disease, vaccines & monoclonal antibody. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. August 4, 2025. Accessed August 18, 2025. https://www.chop.edu/vaccine-education-center/vaccine-details/rsv-vaccine-monoclonal-antibody

4. Immunizations to protect infants. CDC. August 30, 2024. Accessed August 18, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/vaccines/protect-infants.html

5. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination coverage, pregnant women, United States. CDC. April 9, 2025. Accessed August 18, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/rsvvaxview/dashboard/pregnant-women-coverage.html

6. Soucheray S. Only 56% of US infants protected by RSV vaccine, antibody. University of Minnesota. September 30, 2024. Accessed August 18, 2025. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/only-56-us-infants-protected-rsv-vaccine-antibody-0

Innovative intervention delivered by trained community health workers – meaning nonclinical personnel with deep knowledge of the community – increased treatment utilization among participating families with children who have ADHD, according to a pilot study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders. This intervention for parents and caregivers, covering topics that range from education about ADHD to discussions of stigma and barriers to care, intends to reduce inequities in access to evidence-based treatment and boost family engagement in ADHD care.

“We know from previous studies that compared to White youth, Black, Hispanic, and Asian children with ADHD receive less treatment, including fewer visits with a healthcare provider and lower medication use,” said lead author Andrea Spencer, MD, Vice Chair for Research, Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

“We are excited to make a tangible difference for children and their families by using a community-based approach to ADHD that has proved to be so successful for other pediatric conditions, like asthma,” she said. “When so many children have an illness and access to care is inadequate, we need to think beyond individual patient interactions and develop public health solutions. This is the first study to use an intervention for ADHD delivered by community health workers.”

ADHD, a neurobiological condition that affects about 6-8 percent of children, can have lifelong consequences, including educational and occupational underachievement, family and peer conflict, and justice involvement. Treatment, which includes a combination of FDA-approved medication, behavioral therapy and school accommodations, is effective at reducing symptoms and can improve ADHD outcomes.

Dr. Spencer explained that barriers to ADHD care include logistical difficulties, such as finances, insurance, transportation and lack of childcare. Also stigma, discrimination and implicit bias affect families’ experiences with engaging in ADHD care for their children.

In developing content for the intervention, Dr. Spencer and colleagues sought guidance from a Community Advisory Board consisting of racial and ethnic minoritized caregivers of children with ADHD, public school staff, pediatric clinical providers and leaders, child mental health clinicians and child mental health equity researchers.

The intervention included an average of six, hour-long sessions during which community health workers discussed with families evidence-based treatment for ADHD, myths vs. facts, how to respond to stigma and discrimination, how to talk about ADHD in a way that is empowering to kids, how to navigate care, communicate with clinicians and advocate for their child. Participants completed research questionnaires before and after the intervention, as well as exit interviews. Content was refined based on participant feedback.

The pilot study initially included 18 caregivers of children with recently diagnosed ADHD aged 6-12 years. Fifteen caregivers completed the intervention, 16 completed all study questionnaires and 13 completed the exit interview.

We received overwhelmingly positive feedback about the content and strategy addressing stigma in particular. Caregivers reported that the intervention helped them confront their own stigma about ADHD, as well as stigma from others. A community-based approach really can change the stigma associated with ADHD and hopefully get more kids into treatment.”

Dr. Andrea Spencer, MD, Vice Chair for Research, Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

Almost all caregivers (88 percent) agreed or strongly agreed that the intervention was helpful. Ninety-four percent of caregivers reported that the intervention made them feel more confident in seeking treatment for ADHD, and many caregivers reported that the program made them more likely to consider medications (69 percent), therapy (75 percent), and school services (88 percent) for their child’s ADHD.

The percent of children receiving outpatient treatment services increased from pre- to post-intervention, including an increase in medication use (from 38 percent to 50 percent), therapy use (from 31 percent to 69 percent), and a statistically significant increase in receipt of school accommodations (from 38 percent to 88 percent).

“Based on our promising results, we are planning a larger study, a randomized clinical trial, to evaluate the effectiveness of our intervention,” said Dr. Spencer. “Ultimately, we hope to improve outcomes for children with ADHD, especially for kids from minoritized racial and ethnic backgrounds.”

Study activities were done at Boston Medical Center/Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.

Summary: A new study shows that the DNA repair enzyme Polβ plays a vital role in protecting the developing brain from harmful mutations. Researchers found that without Polβ, insertion-deletion mutations near CpG sites rose sharply, threatening genetic stability during crucial stages of brain growth.

These regions are essential for regulating gene activity and are especially vulnerable during DNA demethylation. The findings shed light on the molecular roots of neurodevelopmental disorders and point to potential new avenues for prevention and treatment.

Key Facts

• Polβ Function: Repairs DNA damage during brain development, preventing harmful indel mutations.
• Mutation Increase: Loss of Polβ causes a ninefold rise in indel mutations at CpG sites.
• Health Impact: Findings link DNA repair deficits to neurodevelopmental disorders, with implications for cancer and aging research.

Source: Osaka University

A research group led by The University of Osaka has discovered that the DNA repair enzyme Polβ plays a crucial role in protecting the developing brain from harmful mutations.

The study found that a lack of Polβ leads to a significant increase in small insertions and deletions of DNA, known as indels near CpG sites, which are important regulatory regions in genes. This accumulation of mutations could contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders.

The human brain undergoes intricate developmental processes, meticulously guided by genetic blueprints. However, DNA damage can occur during these stages, potentially leading to irreversible mutations in nerve cells if not properly repaired. While the occurrence of such mutations has been recognized, the precise mechanisms governing their suppression remained elusive.

This study demonstrates that Polβ is essential in preventing a specific type of mutation known as insertion-deletion (indel) mutations near CpG sites, regions of the genome with high gene regulatory activity. These sites undergo dynamic changes in methylation, a chemical modification of DNA, during brain development. 

The researchers found that Polβ repairs the DNA damage associated with demethylation at these sites, preventing the accumulation of indel mutations. In the absence of Polβ, indel mutations near CpG sites increased approximately ninefold.

This research highlights a previously unknown role of Polβ in safeguarding the integrity of the genome during brain development. The findings suggest that deficiencies in Polβ could contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders arising from accumulated mutations.

This research provides a new molecular basis for understanding the origin of brain developmental disorders and may contribute to preventative techniques in the future.

“Our study is the first in the world to demonstrate the crucial role of Polβ in preventing mutations in developing nerve cells,” says Dr. Noriyuki Sugo, the lead author of the study. 

“We believe this finding offers a new perspective on the causes of neurodevelopmental disorders and opens up exciting avenues for neuroscience, cancer, and aging research.”  The team plans to further investigate the link between Polβ dysfunction and specific neurodevelopmental conditions.

About this genetics and neurology research news

Author: Saori Obayashi
Source: Osaka University
Contact: Saori Obayashi – Osaka University
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News

Original Research: Open access.
“DNA polymerase β suppresses somatic indels at CpG dinucleotides in developing cortical neurons” by Noriyuki Sugo et al. PNAS

Abstract

DNA polymerase β suppresses somatic indels at CpG dinucleotides in developing cortical neurons

Somatic mutations in cortical neurons have been implicated in psychiatric disorders. While endogenous DNA damage and repair errors are potential contributors to these mutations during development, the underlying mutagenic mechanism remains unclear.

Here, we investigated somatic mutations in immature cortical neurons using mouse somatic cell nuclear transfer-derived embryonic stem cells and whole-genome sequencing. Insertions and deletions (indels) were commonly observed in both repeat and nonrepeat sequences in wild-type cells.

The loss of DNA polymerase β (Polβ), an enzyme involved in gap-filling during base excision repair and Ten-Eleven Translocation (TET)-mediated active DNA demethylation, in neural progenitor cells increased indel frequency by ~ninefold at cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) dinucleotides and raised the frequency of structural variants by ~fivefold.

These mutations were enriched in neuronal genes, leading to frameshift mutations, amino acid insertions/deletions, and the gain and loss of CpG sites in regulatory regions.

Our findings suggest that Polβ preferentially repairs DNA lesions generated at CpG sites by TET-mediated active demethylation, thereby suppressing the mutagenesis that accompanies neuronal gene activation during cortical development.

FastUKB is an innovative tool specifically developed to streamline and enhance research workflows utilizing the UK Biobank, effectively addressing key limitations of existing platforms such as the UK Biobank Research Analysis Platform (RAP). One of its most notable features is its breakthrough bulk data extraction functionality, which transforms traditionally complex coding tasks into intuitive click operations. This is made possible through a user-friendly interface equipped with dropdown menus and a hierarchical variable tree structure, allowing researchers to effortlessly navigate and select the data they need. Unlike RAP, which restricts users to selecting only 30 variables at a time-a significant hindrance to analytical efficiency-FastUKB enables the extraction of an unlimited number of variables in a single operation. What’s more, it supports data extraction across multiple entities, including participant data (encompassing basic demographic information and clinical phenotypes), proteomics data from olink_instance, genomics data, neuroimaging and cardiac imaging data, metabolomics data, and physical activity monitoring data from activity_monitor, among others. When compared to existing tools like ukbREST and ukbtools, FastUKB stands out by offering broader batch extraction capabilities, automated field matching, and a much lower technical barrier, making it accessible to a wider range of researchers.​

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FastUKB has already proven its value in practical applications. In a study exploring the relationship between sleep patterns, genetic risk, and incident rheumatoid arthritis, the tool efficiently extracted sleep behavior indicators from 375,133 participants. Similarly, in a study investigating plasma metabolite profiles linked to the EAT-Lancet diet and inflammatory bowel disease, it facilitated the processing of nearly 900 metabolites, allowing researchers to focus on scientific questions rather than technical details. While currently tailored to the UK Biobank’s data structure and variable encoding system, FastUKB’s modular architecture is designed for scalability, with future development potentially extending its framework to accommodate other large-scale biomedical datasets like FinnGen or All of Us. By lowering the barrier to accessing and analyzing large biomedical datasets, FastUKB democratizes research, accelerates the research cycle, improves research quality, and ultimately contributes to advancing medical knowledge and translating findings into clinical practice.