For the study, researchers examined the effects of the Zika virus on the brains of adult mice. Observation revealed that the Zika virus targets neural progenitor cells, which are vital for memory and learning. Neural progenitor cells act as the stem cells of the brain and eventually develop into fully formed neurons in healthy individuals. The mice experienced a reduction in such cells after being infected with the Zika virus.
“Zika can clearly enter the brain of adults and can wreak havoc,” said Sujan Shresta, PhD, one of the study’s authors and a professor at the La Jolla (Calif.) Institute of Allergy and Immunology. “But it’s a complex disease — it’s catastrophic for early brain development, yet the majority of adults who are infected with Zika rarely show detectable symptoms. Its effect on the adult brain may be more subtle, and now we know what to look for.”
The study’s authors suggest further research will be needed to more concretely determine the long-term effects of Zika on the adult brain.
More articles on the Zika virus:
CDC updates guidance for Zika infant care: 4 things to know
Miami Beach mosquitoes now transmit Zika, new cases show
More than 2,200 people in US have Zika, CDC says
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