Thyroid hormones' effect on herpes virus in nerve cells
Official title: Hormonal Regulation of HSV-1 Replication in Neurons
Funded at University of Maryland Eastern Shore · NIH-11168826 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether thyroid hormone and nerve cell activity change how herpes simplex virus stays quiet or wakes up in nerve cells, which could help people with recurrent nerve-related herpes problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Eastern Shore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Princess Anne, United States) |
| Project start | August 13, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $363,969 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS138288-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11168826 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people who have frequent or severe herpes simplex-related nerve problems, such as recurrent cold sores, ocular herpes, or neurological symptoms linked to HSV-1.
✕Less likely to help
People without herpes simplex virus infection or with unrelated viral or nonviral nerve conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
What this research studies
If I were involved, researchers will study how thyroid hormone (T3) and its receptor bind to key herpes virus control sites in nerve cells and how that may keep the virus dormant. They will use lab models of neurons, measure nerve cell electrical activity, and run cell and animal experiments to see how hormone levels and neuronal excitability affect viral gene activity. The team also draws on earlier patient data suggesting people taking levothyroxine had lower rates of related viral outbreaks, which helps shape the questions. Together this lab and clinical information aims to reveal pathways that could point toward new ways to prevent viral reactivation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or reduce herpes reactivation by targeting thyroid-related pathways or nerve cell excitability.
How similar studies have gone: Previous laboratory studies and some epidemiological observations suggest thyroid hormone can suppress HSV-1 activity in neurons, but translating these findings into clinical treatments remains novel and unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Princess Anne, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hsia, Shaochung Victor — University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- Study coordinator: Hsia, Shaochung Victor
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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.