I was always told that the "blood brain barrier" made it very difficult for any disease to get to the brain. We have learned that many different virus can have an effect on brains. Most recently, we've learned that the Zika Virus can have an effect on the brain. See this article on Science Daily. It is possible that Zika can affect the growth and reproduction of brain cells.
It is possible that Zika virus could have an even more severe effect on humans, if it ends up affecting our minds in some way--especially in old age. I have been very disappointed that Congress has not appropriated adequate funding to get started on Zika research and prevention.
Now that we know that there are many different effects on the brain due to a wide variety of organisms, I think we need to look for the possibility that some of our diseases that affect brain and nervous systems may also be caused by outside organisms, such as virus. For example, could Alzheimer's Disease be caused by a virus? Could Parkinson's disease, or schizophrenia be caused by some sort of virus?
It is possible that Zika virus could have an even more severe effect on humans, if it ends up affecting our minds in some way--especially in old age. I have been very disappointed that Congress has not appropriated adequate funding to get started on Zika research and prevention.
Now that we know that there are many different effects on the brain due to a wide variety of organisms, I think we need to look for the possibility that some of our diseases that affect brain and nervous systems may also be caused by outside organisms, such as virus. For example, could Alzheimer's Disease be caused by a virus? Could Parkinson's disease, or schizophrenia be caused by some sort of virus?
