Neuro-cCMV: determining the contribution of congenital CMV infection to brain malformations and white matter disorders

巨细胞病毒(CMV)感染通常不会导致任何疾病，或者非常轻微的症状。大多数人一生中至少会得一次这种病。然而，发育中的大脑非常容易受到CMV感染。暴露在巨细胞病毒下的胎儿中，多达四分之一会出现脑损伤，这可能导致脑瘫和癫痫。我们的项目将研究先天性巨细胞病毒感染的严重神经系统并发症，并试图确定为什么一些婴儿比其他婴儿更容易受到影响。

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection usually results in no illness at all, or very minor symptoms. Most people will have it at least once in their lives. The developing brain is however very susceptible to CMV infection. Up to one quarter of foetuses exposed to CMV develop brain damage which can lead to cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Our project will study the severe neurological complications of congenital CMV infection, and will try to determine why some babies are more susceptible than others.