COVID-19’s Lingering impact: Study Suggests Anxiety in Offspring of Infected Fathers
October 26, 2025 – The long-term consequences of COVID-19 may extend beyond the initial infection, perhaps impacting the mental health of future generations. Groundbreaking research from The foley Institute reveals a link between a father’s COVID-19 infection and increased anxiety levels in their offspring.The study, published october 11th in Nature Communications, suggests alterations in sperm during the illness could be the key to this intergenerational effect.
Researchers, led by Dr. Elizabeth Kleeman, investigated the potential for transgenerational effects by intentionally infecting male mice with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. After recovery, these mice were bred with healthy females. The resulting pups demonstrated considerably more anxious behaviors compared to those born to uninfected parents.
“We observed a clear difference in the offspring,” explains Dr. Kleeman in a recent statement.”The pups exhibited heightened anxiety, suggesting a lasting impact from the father’s prior infection.”
Further investigation revealed critically important changes in brain activity within the offspring, particularly in females.Specifically, researchers noted altered genetic activity in the hippocampus – a brain region crucial for emotional regulation and strongly linked to anxiety and depression.
“These changes in the hippocampus, and potentially other brain regions, could be contributing to the increased anxiety through epigenetic inheritance and altered brain progress,” notes co-lead author Dr. Carolina gubert. Epigenetic inheritance refers to changes in gene expression without alterations to the underlying DNA sequence – meaning traits can be passed down through generations without a direct genetic mutation.
To understand the mechanism behind this phenomenon,the team analyzed the sperm of infected male mice. They discovered modifications to RNA molecules within the sperm, some of which are known to play a role in brain development.
Professor Anthony Hannan, who spearheaded the research, cautions that while these findings are promising, further investigation is crucial. “Although more research is needed, particularly focusing on human sperm and offspring of men infected with SARS-CoV-2, these results suggest the COVID-19 pandemic could have lasting effects on future generations.”
The implications of this research are substantial. If similar effects are observed in humans, Professor Hannan warns, “This could impact millions of children and their families worldwide, with major implications for public health.”
This study underscores the need for continued monitoring of long-COVID effects, not just in those initially infected, but also in their children, as we navigate the ongoing consequences of the pandemic.
Sources:
* [Nature Communications Study](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025
