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In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the University of Alberta have uncovered startling insights into the effects of the Monkeypox virus (Mpox) on human brain cells, shedding light on a potential link between the virus and neurological symptoms observed in affected individuals. Published in the prestigious journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research highlights the infiltration of Mpox virus into astrocytes, the cells responsible for normal brain functioning, triggering an extreme immune response and suggesting a novel avenue for treatment.
Mpox, a virus transmitted primarily through close physical contact, shares symptoms similar to smallpox but is generally less severe. However, a major outbreak in May 2022 saw the virus spread to over 100 countries, causing over 86,900 infections worldwide. Between January 1, 2022, and November 30, 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a staggering total of 92,783 laboratory-confirmed cases of Mpox, with 171 fatalities recorded across 116 countries.
Lead author Hajar Miranzadeh Mahabadi, a postdoctoral fellow in medicine at the University of Alberta, underscored the significance of their findings. “Astrocytes are the most abundant neural cells in the brain,” Mahabadi explained, emphasizing the virus’s ability to efficiently infect these cells and induce a form of brain cell death known as pyroptosis.
The study’s results have profound implications for understanding Mpox’s impact on the central nervous system, particularly concerning neurological symptoms such as headaches, mental confusion, and seizures, which have increasingly been observed in affected individuals. Mahabadi highlighted the urgent need to address the potential neurological complications associated with Mpox, especially in light of the virus’s rapid spread and the severity of cases recorded worldwide.
Remarkably, the research team identified a potential treatment avenue by successfully reducing cell death in Mpox virus-infected cells through the administration of dimethyl fumarate, a compound approved for psoriasis treatment in Europe and multiple sclerosis treatment in the United States and Canada.
While two antiviral treatments for Mpox disease have been approved, along with a vaccine available in Canada for vulnerable populations, Mahabadi and her team aim to delve further into understanding Mpox’s interaction with the brain. They also seek to explore why Mpox disease appears to be more severe and carries a higher mortality rate among individuals with HIV.
The study marks a significant step forward in unraveling the complexities of Mpox and underscores the importance of continued research and innovation in combating emerging infectious diseases.
