Welcome to Research Renaissance presented by the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust. In this episode, host Deborah Westphal dives into the fascinating world of neurovirology with Dr. Maria Nagel, a renowned professor, clinician, and scientist from the Department of Neurology at the University of Colorado. Dr. Nagel shares her insights on how viruses affect the nervous system, focusing on the varicella zoster virus (VZV) and its implications for diseases such as stroke and shingles.

Dr. Maria Nagel is a distinguished neurovirologist specializing in the study of how viruses impact the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. With a particular focus on VZV, Dr. Nagel's work explores the virus's ability to remain latent and later reactivate, leading to various neurological diseases. Her research has significant implications for understanding and potentially preventing conditions like stroke and dementia.

Key Discussion Points:

1. Understanding Neurovirology:
   • Dr. Nagel explains her role as a neurovirologist, studying viruses that affect the nervous system.
   • Her primary focus is on VZV, one of the eight human herpes viruses that remain latent and can reactivate later in life.
2. Impact of VZV:
   • VZV causes chickenpox in initial infections and can later reactivate as shingles.
   • The virus's reactivation can lead to serious conditions like stroke, known as VZV vasculopathy, without necessarily presenting with a rash.
3. Mechanisms of Virus Reactivation:
   • Factors that weaken the immune system, such as aging, cancer, immunosuppressive drugs, trauma, and chronic stress, can trigger viral reactivation.
   • Dr. Nagel discusses how these reactivations can cause different diseases depending on the location of the virus's latent residence.
4. Association with Neurological Diseases:
   • Dr. Nagel shares findings on the link between VZV and stroke, as well as potential connections to dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
   • Her lab's research indicates that viral reactivation may contribute to amyloid accumulation, neuroinflammation, and cognitive deficits.
5. Current and Future Research:
   • The episode highlights ongoing research efforts to understand the intersection between VZV reactivation and neurodegenerative diseases.
   • Dr. Nagel emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary collaborations in advancing this field.
6. Prevention and Treatment:
   • The discussion includes recommendations for the shingles vaccine, particularly for individuals over 50, and its potential benefits beyond preventing the rash, such as reducing the risk of stroke and possibly dementia.

Thank you for joining us on this episode of Research Renaissance. We hope you found Dr. Maria Nagel's insights into neurovirology and the impact of viruses on the nervous system both enlightening and thought-provoking. Stay tuned for more episodes as we continue to explore the forefront of brain science and its implications for our understanding and treatment of neurological diseases. Until next time, onward and upward!

To learn more about the breakthroughs discussed in this episode and to support ongoing research, visit our website at tofflertrust.org.

Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.