Fetal Brain Defects

Researchers have found some existing drug compounds -- including one already used as a treatment for tapeworm infection in humans -- that have the potential to both stop Zika from replicating in the body and from damaging the crucial fetal brain cells that lead to birth defects in newborns.

Brain scans of 23 Brazilian infants with the birth defect microcephaly showed widespread and severe abnormalities suggesting that Zika may invade fetal nerve cells and disrupt brain development.

The Zika virus is capable of quickly infecting and harming developing fetal brain cells, scientists said on Friday in a study that provides insight into how the virus might cause the birth defect microcephaly in fetuses exposed in the womb.

Researchers have found some existing drug compounds -- including one already used as a treatment for tapeworm infection in humans -- that have the potential to both stop Zika from replicating in the body and from damaging the crucial fetal brain cells that lead to birth defects in newborns.

Brain scans of 23 Brazilian infants with the birth defect microcephaly showed widespread and severe abnormalities suggesting that Zika may invade fetal nerve cells and disrupt brain development.

The Zika virus is capable of quickly infecting and harming developing fetal brain cells, scientists said on Friday in a study that provides insight into how the virus might cause the birth defect microcephaly in fetuses exposed in the womb.