This project addresses the hypothesis that viral infections can alter neurotransmitter function to cause neurologic and psychiatric diseases. A number of neurotransmitters have been mapped to locations within the central nervous system (CNS). Abnormal regional and whole brain levels of neurotransmitters are found in several neurologic and psychiatric disorders. The mechanisms by which neurotransmitter concentrations are altered in these disorders and the etiologic agents responsible remain largely unknown. Some viral infections are known to cause CNS dysfunction. Persistent viral infections can interfere with differentiated cell function with or without histologic injury. Neurologic and psychiatric disorders, particularly those associated with neurotransmitter abnormalities, may be linked to viral infections. During the last two years of this project, I will focus on Borna disease virus (BDV), an intriguing infectious agent with wide host range and tropism for selected CNS regions. BDV is important not only as a model for virus induced human CNS disease but also because BDV or a related agent may be directly implicated in neurologic and psychiatric diseases. My efforts will be directed toward characterization of this agent through analysis of cDNA libraries prepared from BDV infected rat brain RNA.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
5K08NS001026-05
Application #
3083690
Study Section
Neurological Disorders Program Project Review B Committee (NSPB)
Project Start
1987-04-01
Project End
1992-03-31
Budget Start
1991-04-01
Budget End
1992-03-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Scripps Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92037
Carbone, K M; Moench, T R; Lipkin, W I (1991) Borna disease virus replicates in astrocytes, Schwann cells and ependymal cells in persistently infected rats: location of viral genomic and messenger RNAs by in situ hybridization. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 50:205-14
de la Torre, J C; Carbone, K M; Lipkin, W I (1990) Molecular characterization of the Borna disease agent. Virology 179:853-6
Lipkin, W I; Wilson, M C; Oldstone, M B (1990) Molecular insights into infections of the central nervous system. Res Publ Assoc Res Nerv Ment Dis 68:15-22
Lipkin, W I; Carbone, K M; Wilson, M C et al. (1988) Neurotransmitter abnormalities in Borna disease. Brain Res 475:366-70