This study examines the effects of ZIKV infection on startle reflex and prepulse inhibition in mice, finding age- and sex-dependent differences in neuromotor function.

Behavioural Brain Research · May 31, 2023Peer-reviewedNeuroscience

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein induces long-term TLR4-mediated synapse and cognitive loss recapitulating Post-COVID syndrome

Fabrícia Lima Fontes-Dantas, Gabriel Gripp Fernandes, Elisa Gouvea Gutman, Emanuelle Vasconcellos de Lima, Leticia S. Antonio, Mariana Beiral Hämmerle, Hannah P. Mota-Araujo, Lilian C. Colodeti, Suzana Maria Bernardino Araújo, Talita Nascimento da Silva, Larissa Araújo Duarte, Andreza Lemos Salvio, Karina Lebeis Pires, Luciane Almeida Amado Leon, Cláudia Cristina Ferreira Vasconcelos, , Cláudia Pinto Figueiredo

The paper shows that SARS-CoV-2 spike protein causes long-term cognitive and synaptic damage in mice, and a TLR4 genetic variant is linked to worse cognitive outcomes in post-COVID patients.

bioRxiv · Jun 7, 2022 · PreprintNeuroscience

Neonatal Zika virus infection causes epileptic seizures, viral persistence and long-term behavioral impairment

Isis Nem de Oliveira Souza, Paula S. Frost, Júlia V. França, J.B. Nascimento-Viana, Rômulo Leão Silva Neris, Leandro Freitas Oliveira, Daniel J. L. L. Pinheiro, Gilda Angela Neves, Leila M C Chimelli, Fernanda G. De Felice, Ésper A. Cavalheiro, Sergio Teixeira Ferreira, Andrea Thompson Da Poian, Iranaia Assunção‐Miranda, Cláudia Pinto Figueiredo, Julia Rosauro Clarke

This study investigates long-term effects of neonatal ZIKV infection in mice, finding persistent viral replication, brain damage, and behavioral issues despite initial recovery.

bioRxiv · Sep 28, 2017 · PreprintNeuroscience