Neurovirology

Neurovirology is an interdisciplinary field that represents a melding of clinical neuroscience, virology, immunology, and molecular biology. The main focus of the field is to study viruses capable of infecting the nervous system. In addition to this, neurovirology also studies the development and progression of diseases that these viruses produce, the immune response to these viruses, and the use of viruses to trace neuroanatomical pathways, to study the biology of neurons, and to eliminate detrimental populations of neural cells.

History

The field of neurovirology came into prominence during the poliomyelitis epidemics in the mid-20th century. The development of the polio vaccine and the subsequent drop in cases of poliomyelitis was a catalyst for researchers in the field.

Viruses and the Nervous System

Viruses can affect the nervous system in several ways. Some viruses, such as Herpes simplex and Varicella zoster virus, can establish latent infections in the nervous system, reactivating under certain conditions to cause disease. Other viruses, such as Rabies virus, can cause acute and often fatal disease. Still others, such as HIV, can cause chronic disease.

Neurological Diseases

Several neurological diseases are associated with viral infections. These include Multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. While the exact role of viruses in these diseases is not clear, evidence suggests that viral infections may trigger or exacerbate these conditions.

Research and Treatment

Research in neurovirology is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of how viruses infect the nervous system and cause disease. This research is critical for the development of treatments for viral neurological diseases. Antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir, are used to treat some viral infections of the nervous system. In addition, research is being conducted on the use of viruses in gene therapy for neurological diseases.

See Also

• Virology
• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Molecular biology

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