Transneuronal transfer of herpes virus from peripheral nerves to cortex and brainstem

Abstract

The transneuronal transfer of neurotropic viruses may represent an effective tool for tracing chains of connected neurons because replication of virus in the recipient neurons after transfer amplifies the "tracer signal." Herpes simplex virus type 1 was transferred transneuronally from forelimb and hindlimb nerves of rats to the cortical and brainstem neurons that project to the spinal enlargements to which the nerves receiving injections are connected. This transneuronal transfer of herpes simplex virus type 1 from peripheral nerves has the potential to be used to identify neurons in the brain that are related transsynaptically to different nerves and muscles.