How viruses and viral gene tools can harm the brain's ability to make new neurons
Investigating Mechanisms of Viral Impairment of Neurogenesis Using Recombinant AAV
Researchers are looking at whether common brain-tropic viruses and viral gene-delivery tools can kill the brain's neural stem cells and reduce the brain's ability to make new neurons, which matters for people exposed to infections or gene therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11320744 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's view, the team uses lab-grown human cells and mouse models to see how different viruses and recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) affect dividing neural progenitor cells in the hippocampus. They measure cell survival, cell division, and the molecular signals that lead to cell death after infection or vector exposure. The researchers compare virus types and different doses of rAAV to find the specific mechanism that causes loss of neurogenesis. Their goal is to pinpoint what goes wrong so future treatments or gene therapies can avoid or counteract these effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project is primarily preclinical and not currently enrolling patients, but adults who have had CNS viral infections or who previously received rAAV-based gene therapy could be candidates for future related clinical follow-up studies.
Not a fit: People without a history of CNS viral exposure or those seeking an immediate treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this lab-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to prevent or reduce virus- and vector-related loss of new brain cells and improve the safety of gene therapies affecting the brain.
How similar studies have performed: The project builds on recent laboratory findings that rAAV can kill dividing neural progenitors and on reports of adverse outcomes in some rAAV trials, but the precise mechanism remains novel and unproven in humans.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shtrahman, Matthew — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Shtrahman, Matthew
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 below.