Neurology, Addiction and Psychiatry Conference

Neurovirology is a multi-disciplinary field which addresses the complicated pathophysiology behind the viral infection and its interference with the nervous system; it seeks to understand how some viruses interfere with the central nervous system (CNS) and lead to neurological disorders and mechanisms underlying such viral-induced brain diseases. The subject of neurovirology opens not just paths into understanding the viral infections but also new pathways in understanding the very neurological conditions.

Neurotropic viruses are those which can cause infection in the nervous system. It encompasses herpesviruses, retroviruses, arboviruses, and enteroviruses; these have the ability to cross through the blood-brain barrier to cause diverse infections in the CNS of hosts, such as viral encephalitis, meningitis, and myelitis. In some cases, this results in severe neurological effects, like seizures, paralysis, cognitive function deterioration, and even long-term neurodegenerative diseases.

Another field in neurovirology is on the description of mechanisms by which these viruses initiate neuroinflammation and destroy normal brain functions. Once inside the brain, viruses can initiate immune responses, though, as created to fight the infection, may in some instances cause additional damage to the brain tissue. The result of immune-mediated damage may, in some instances, lead to conditions such as MS, for which several studies have hinted may be connected to viral infection.

Perhaps one of the most intensively studied viruses in neurovirology, HIV represents the causative agent of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. Work on HIV and the CNS has greatly advanced understanding of how chronic viral infections can lead to progressive neurological impairment.

Recent work in the area of neurovirology is also now focused upon viruses in the causation of neurodegenerative diseases. For instance, researchers are still investigating if viral infections could activate or even speed conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's due to chronic inflammation and neuronal damage.

In addition to studying pathological aspects of viruses in the brain, neurovirology also explores treatment options. Antiviral therapies, immune-modulating drugs, and gene therapies are under investigation to prevent and treat viral-induced neurological damage.

Neurovirology thus enables us to understand how viruses breach the central nervous system and what can be done to limit damage caused by such invading pathogens. This field continues promising new treatments that would protect the nervous system from viral invaders, improving the outcome of the patient involved with such infections.