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How Does Zika Damage a Baby’s Brain?
Reviewed by Hansa Bhargava on March 28, 2016
Sources
EurekAlert!: "Zika virus infects human neural stem cells."; WHO: "Zika Situation Report."; CDC: Facts About Microcephaly."
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Video Transcript
MICHAEL SMITH:
When a pregnant woman gets zika
virus, doctors believe it can
cause a serious, often fatal
birth defect called
microcephaly.
That means the baby's head
and brain are much smaller
than usual.
But they haven't known how zika
does its damage.
Now researchers have discovered that it targets developing brain cells. These are stem cells that give rise to the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain that controls speech, memory, movement, and intelligence. Zika doesn't kill them right away. Instead, it hijacks them and uses the cells to churn out even more of the virus so it can spread faster. And in the lab, at least, it goes after these brain stem cells much more than any other cells.
People get infected with the zika virus through a mosquito bite. It can also be spread through sex. Right now, the biggest danger is when you travel. If you're pregnant and have been to Central America, South America, or the Caribbean, let your doctor know.
For WebMD, I'm Dr. Michael Smith.
Now researchers have discovered that it targets developing brain cells. These are stem cells that give rise to the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain that controls speech, memory, movement, and intelligence. Zika doesn't kill them right away. Instead, it hijacks them and uses the cells to churn out even more of the virus so it can spread faster. And in the lab, at least, it goes after these brain stem cells much more than any other cells.
People get infected with the zika virus through a mosquito bite. It can also be spread through sex. Right now, the biggest danger is when you travel. If you're pregnant and have been to Central America, South America, or the Caribbean, let your doctor know.
For WebMD, I'm Dr. Michael Smith.