Zika Virus and Brain Development: Mice Experiments Show How The Virus Affects the Brain

A Brazilian researcher has discovered proof of the direct link between the Zika virus and microcephaly. Alysson Muotri's main research work is focused on autism, but with his colleagues, he has found possible explanations as to how the Zika virus that has ravaged Brazil causing birth defects given its attack on fetal development and the brain.

By infecting pregnant mice with the Zika virus,  Muotri and his colleagues discovered that the virus invades the placenta and this is how it begins to cause birth defects. In a separate but connected experiment using cultured stem cells, they also found that the virus kills stem cell structures that look like miniature brains.  They discovered that when the virus invades the cell structure and organization, their development is immediately affected and their growth disrupted.

 The researchers presented their findings in three papers, all of which present the conclusion that Zika infection in pregnant women can cause birth defects in their babies, including microcephaly.

 Among the findings released is the effect of the Zika virus on the brain. In the experiment with mice, it was found that the brains of the animals were more resistant to infections. In the stem cell experiment, however, it was discovered that the virus had a more destructive effect and caused the death of many brain cells. What this means is that the virus affects human cells more quickly, and the devastation spreads in the brain, disrupting its development process.

In the meantime, while there has been no connection established between Zika and autism, Muotri and his colleagues are also trying to see how the virus' destruction of brain cells might also cause autism. Autism takes place when certain conditions disrupt brain development -  some say these conditions are environmental in nature, but no concrete proof of this has been found.

 The researcher and his team continue to conduct experiments with the mice, infecting them with varying doses of the Zika virus and they expect to see also varying effects on their brain development.

 They are also theorizing that the Zika virus may also become a factor that causes autism and other developmental delays.