Research Horizons
- Home
- Findings
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccines
- In Mice, Antiviral Appears to Block Brain Damage From Latent HSV Reactivation
In Mice, Antiviral Appears to Block Brain Damage From Latent HSV Reactivation
Research By Nancy Sawtell, PhD
Post Date: March 6, 2020 | Publish Date: March 5, 2020
How HSV Damages Neurons
This illustration shows the stepwise apoptotic (a form of cell death) path that a trigeminal sensory neuron undergoes after reactivation of latent HSV.
Decades after infection, the common herpes simplex virus (HSV) can reactivate, causing affected neurons in the brain to die.
Researchers have suggested that this neuron damage may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological conditions.
Now, a study published online March 5, 2020, in the journal PLoS Pathogens reports that the antiviral drug acyclovir prevented HSV reactivation and the death of neurons in mice that were subjected to hyper-thermic stress to mimic fever.
More study is needed to determine if the process is similar in humans.
The study was led by first author Jessica Doll, PhD, and principal investigator Nancy Sawtell, PhD.
Publication Information
| Original Title: | Resolution of herpes simplex virus reactivation in vivo results in neuronal destruction |
|---|---|
| Published in: | PLoS Pathogens |
| Publish date: | March 5, 2020 |
Research By
Nancy Sawtell, PhD
Division of Infectious Diseases
Dr. Sawtell's lab focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying herpes simplex virus (HSV) latency and reactivation.
Research Areas
- > Asthma and Allergy
- > Autoimmune Disorders
- > Big Data and Analytics
- > Cancer
- > Community Health
- > Diabetes and Obesity
- > Digestive System
- > Emergency and Critical Care
- > Genomics and Development
- > Health Inequities
- > Heart and Lung
- > Imaging Sciences
- > Infectious Diseases and Vaccines
- > Mind Brain Behavior
- > Organoids
- > Ortho, Sports Med and Rehab
- > Perinatal
- > Quality and Safety
- > Rare Diseases
- > Research Annual Report 2021
- > Sensory Systems
- > Surgical Science
- > Tools for Science
Latest Posts
About this blog
The Research Horizons blog features news and insights about the latest discoveries and innovations developed by the scientists of Cincinnati Children's. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Blog Archive
- > June 2022
- > May 2022
- > April 2022
- > March 2022
- > February 2022
- > January 2022
- > December 2021
- > November 2021
- > October 2021
- > September 2021
- > August 2021
- > July 2021
- > June 2021
- > May 2021
- > April 2021
- > March 2021
- > February 2021
- > January 2021
- > December 2020
- > November 2020
- > October 2020
- > September 2020
- > August 2020
- > July 2020
- > June 2020
- > May 2020
- > April 2020
- > March 2020
- > February 2020
- > January 2020
- > December 2019
- > November 2019
- > October 2019
- > September 2019
- > August 2019
- > July 2019
- > June 2019