Investigating how viruses invade the brain and affect the immune response
Official title: Viral and host factors in neuroinvasion of encephalitis alphaviruses
Funded at University of Western Ontario · NIH-11029942 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain viruses can get into the brain and spread, and it aims to find out how these viruses manage to avoid the body's defenses, which could help us find better ways to prevent or treat these infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Western Ontario NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (London, Canada) |
| Project start | July 5, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $521,574 |
| NIH project number | 7R01AI160188-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11029942 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been exposed to or infected by encephalitic alphaviruses, particularly those showing symptoms of CNS involvement.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-viral causes of encephalitis or those not affected by alphavirus infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how certain viruses, specifically encephalitic alphaviruses, enter and spread within the central nervous system (CNS). By examining the interactions between these viruses and the host's immune cells, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that allow these viruses to bypass the blood-brain barrier and cause infection. The research involves analyzing immune responses and the role of various brain cells in the infection process, which could lead to new insights into preventing or treating these viral infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and treating viral infections that affect the brain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding viral mechanisms of CNS invasion, but this specific focus on alphaviruses is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
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University of Western Ontario
London, Canada Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Klein, Robyn S. — University of Western Ontario
- Study coordinator: Klein, Robyn S.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How viruses invade the brain and ways to block it
Researchers are studying how certain brain-invading viruses interact with the body to enter and spread in the brain, with the goal of protecting people who might be exposed.
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How alphaviruses get into the brain
This project looks at how mosquito-borne encephalitis viruses enter and spread in the brain to help people affected by alphavirus infections.
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.