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Description
Abstract
Studying how viruses evolve in people with metabolic imbalances is an important and
emerging area of research. People with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) – a condition
characterized by serious metabolic issues – tend to have higher death rates, longer hospital
stays, and worse outcomes when infected by viruses. This is especially true for viruses that
affect the brain, like West Nile Virus (WNV).
Currently, over one-third of the U.S. population has MetS, and nearly 40% of people in
Kentucky are affected. MetS signi?cantly disrupts cellular metabolism, impacting brain
function as well. Despite this, the link between these metabolic issues and how viruses
behave in the brain remains largely unexplored. We know that people with MetS have worse
outcomes after viral infections, and viruses are known to alter host metabolism. However,
there is no direct proof that the metabolic problems of MetS make viral infections more
severe.
Our goal in this study is to explore how changes in brain metabolism caused by MetS lead
to more severe viral infections. We believe that the imbalance caused by MetS increases
WNV activity and leads to more severe disease outcomes in the brain. To investigate this,
we will use advanced techniques to compare brain metabolism in healthy mice and mice
with MetS. Our hope is to identify the speci?c metabolic changes that lead to increased
viral activity and disease severity.
Status | Active |
---|---|
Effective start/end date | 12/1/24 → 2/29/28 |
Funding
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences
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Projects
- 1 Active
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Center of Biomedical Research Excellence in CNS Metabolism - Administrative Core
Sullivan, P. (PI), Bachstetter, A. (CoI), Bauer, B. (CoI), Dutch, R. (CoI), Hubbard, W. (CoI), Johnson, L. (CoI), Nikolajczyk, B. (CoI), Norris, C. (CoI), Patel, S. (CoI), Schmitt, F. (CoI), Selenica, M.-L. (CoI), Slevin, J. (CoI), Wilcock, D. (CoI) & Yamasaki, T. (CoI)
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
5/15/23 → 2/29/28
Project: Research project