Emerging Viral Infections in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Developing Nervous System: A Mini Review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Virology
• Public Health

Background:

• Emerging viruses, originating from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), are spreading globally.
• These viruses, transmitted by insects, pose significant public health challenges, particularly in SSA.
• Some emerging viruses are neuroinvasive, affecting the developing nervous system, yet are understudied by neuroscientists.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize research on the impact of West Nile, Zika, and Chikungunya viruses on the developing brain.
• To highlight the neuroinvasive potential and varied effects of these mosquito-borne viruses.
• To emphasize the need for increased neuroscience awareness and research into viral threats to brain development.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing studies on West Nile, Zika, Chikungunya, and Ebola viruses.
• Analysis of viral effects on the developing nervous system, including prenatal, perinatal, and later infections.
• Highlighting long-term and late-onset neurological and psychiatric consequences.

Main Results:

• West Nile, Zika, and Chikungunya viruses are mosquito-borne, neuroinvasive, and have spread globally from SSA.
• These viruses can cause diverse effects, including malformations and cognitive disturbances.
• Ebola virus can lead to psychiatric issues in survivors and persistent infections in primates.

Conclusions:

• Greater awareness and research are needed within the neuroscience community regarding emerging viruses and brain development.
• Frontline research should incorporate neuropediatric follow-up studies on long-term cognitive and behavioral disturbances.
• Pathogenetic studies should focus on vulnerable periods of neurocircuit formation in infancy and early childhood.