How HSV-2 variations affect brain damage in newborns
Official title: The contribution of HSV-2 ICP34.5 variation to neurovirulence during neonatal infection
Funded at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago · NIH-11367534 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how differences in a common newborn herpes virus may influence brain damage in babies infected around birth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | July 7, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $604,164 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS136691-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11367534 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Newborns and infants with or at risk of HSV-2 infection, whose virus samples can be analyzed.
✕Less likely to help
Infants without HSV-2 infection or whose viral samples cannot be studied may not benefit.
What this research studies
The study focuses on neonatal HSV-2 infections and how specific viral variations in the g34.5 gene might drive severe brain disease. Researchers will compare viral genomes from infants with different clinical outcomes and use models to understand how these differences affect neurovirulence. The work aims to identify mechanisms that could be targeted to protect the newborn brain and guide future therapies. The findings could help develop neuroprotective strategies for infants at risk of CNS involvement due to HSV-2.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new approaches to prevent or lessen brain injury in babies with neonatal HSV-2 infection.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows variation in neurovirulence among neonatal HSV-2 strains, with some models linking viral genetics to disease severity.
Where this research is happening
-
Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Akhtar, Lisa Nowoslawski — Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Akhtar, Lisa Nowoslawski
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.