Posted on 08/13/2009 12:56:27 AM PDT by neverdem
Highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus can enter the central nervous system and induce neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration
Haeman Janga, David Boltzc, Katharine Sturm-Ramirezc, Kennie R. Shepherda, Yun Jiaoa, Robert Webster and Richard J. Smeyne
Abstract
One of the greatest influenza pandemic threats at this time is posed by the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses. To date, 61% of the 433 known human cases of H5N1 infection have proved fatal. Animals infected by H5N1 viruses have demonstrated acute neurological signs ranging from mild encephalitis to motor disturbances to coma. However, no studies have examined the longer-term neurologic consequences of H5N1 infection among surviving hosts. Using the C57BL/6J mouse, a mouse strain that can be infected by the A/Vietnam/1203/04 H5N1 virus without adaptation, we show that this virus travels from the peripheral nervous system into the CNS to higher levels of the neuroaxis. In regions infected by H5N1 virus, we observe activation of microglia and alpha-synuclein phosphorylation and aggregation that persists long after resolution of the infection. We also observe a significant loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta 60 days after infection. Our results suggest that a pandemic H5N1 pathogen, or other neurotropic influenza virus, could initiate CNS disorders of protein aggregation including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Hat tip to Dvdmom who sent the abstract to me before I had a reason to look at ScienceNOW Daily News.
Darn! I forget where I read the article, it was so long ago, but yes, either it was the 1918 virus or a different one that came along in the 1920’s.
People survived it but gradually were afflicted with Parkinson’s-like symptoms some years later. These were the “Awakenings” people that Dr. Oliver Sacks cut his teeth on in the 1960’s.
However, I don’t know what proportion of survivors contracted the parkinsonian symptoms or how many of them became the extreme, frozen people of the book/movie.
The newly discovered L-dopa wrought miracles but gradually lost it’s effectiveness and brought on nasty side-effects and eventually they were all frozen again.
Or something like that...
Ping...(Thanks, neverdem!)
Appreciate the Bird Flu ping. Do you know if anyone is keeping a Parkinson’s ping list? I would like to be added if there is one.
SWINE FLU VICTIM'S FAMILY PLAN TO SUE NYC FOR $40 MILLION
A Common Heartburn Remedy Complements Conventional Cancer Therapy my thread
Cimetidine: A Common Heartburn Remedy Complements Conventional Cancer Therapy Hat tip to oprahstheantichrist, her thread, & Rockingham, his warnring about zinc deficiency!
FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.
I don't believe there is one. Someone could volunteer to start one.
I would like to be added if there is one.
So would I. I have a bunch of lists already. I would be happy to link it on my health & science threads. I already link my microbiology, stem cell and diabetes lists to them.
You might do a keyword search for Parkinson's, too.
Ping :))
Smokin’ Joe you are a charter member.
Neverdem, please link to your health and science threads. Do you want on the ping list? Please add me to the diabetes ping list.
Anyone else on the Parkinson's Ping List? My interest is early onset PD — my 23 year old son has a classic case of PD 40 years ahead of schedule.
This is one. See comment# 5 with the links. Here's another: Aspirin improves survival after colorectal cancer diagnosis
Do you want on the ping list?
Add me to your Parkinson's disease list, please.
Please add me to the diabetes ping list.
Done already.
Thank you
If you’re starting a ping list, please add me.
After 10 years, the neurologist told me last week that he is changing my mother’s diagnosis from Parkinson’s to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Are you familiar with this?
Sorry to hear about your son.
My best regards
Not very. I read this pfd link that eventually came from your link. I read about two thirds of it until they mentioned making brain donations after the time came. If you haven't read it, you should. I think you'll agree or disagree with the change in diagnosis. Maybe some of your mom's meds can be discontinued if there are side effechts causing problems.
http://www.psp.org/doc_library/1217970611/Some%20Answers.pdf
Not very. I read this pfd link that eventually came from your link. I read about two thirds of it until they mentioned making brain donations after the time came. If you haven't read it, you should. I think you'll agree or disagree with the change in diagnosis. Maybe some of your mom's meds can be discontinued if there are side effechts causing problems.
http://www.psp.org/doc_library/1217970611/Some%20Answers.pdf
Thank you, Owen!
I think it has to be pretty much mega doses, 1200mg/day for it to really work, but many have had great results.
Best regards,
OTAC
I had previously run across another article about CoQ10. Thanks for the link!
You are added to the list. Please ping me to anything you run across.
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