# Early neural predictors and neuropathogenesis of sensorimotor neurodevelopmental deficits in macaque infants exposed to Zika virus in utero

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2021 · $769,480

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Prenatal exposure to the Zika virus (ZIKV) poses a threat to the fetus, putting the neonate at risk for significant
birth defects (termed congenital Zika syndrome) and neurodevelopmental deficits developing during early child-
hood. There are currently no predictors to indicate which children will develop deficits and the neuropathologies
underlying these deficits is not defined. It is critical to predict which infants will later develop deficits to max-
imize long-term sensorimotor development and functional outcomes. Furthermore, understanding underlying
neuropathogenesis is necessary to develop targeted interventions. The purpose of this grant is to define the
long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of ZIKV by rapidly obtaining data from highly controlled studies of
rhesus macaques.
Specifically, we will:
Aim 1: Characterize sensorimotor neurodevelopmental outcomes in macaques with prenatal ZIKV expo-
sure. Behavioral assessments focused on sensorimotor development may highlight the distinct developmental
trajectories and increased deficits with age in ZIKV-exposed rhesus macaques. Because macaques develop
more quickly than humans, sensorimotor neurodevelopmental differences that occur by year 3 may predict
future impacts in children born with prenatal ZIKV exposure.
Aim 2: Identify early neural predictors of sensorimotor neurodevelopmental deficits in ZIKV-exposed
infant macaques with quantitative MRI, hearing and visual studies. We will describe differences between
ZIKV-exposed and mock-infection control infants and identify individual differences within ZIKV-exposed in-
fants to determine the full spectrum of brain abnormalities.
Aim 3: Define neuropathology underlying sensorimotor neurodevelopmental deficits with quantitative
brain histopathology. Using cellular quantification and organization of brain nuclei, we aim to identify the neu-
ropathogenesis of congenital Zika syndrome to better create appropriate, targeted interventions for children.
This study utilizes a large cohort of ZIKV-exposed infant macaques that have been born in other NIH-funded
studies and capitalizes on our collaborative team of experts in neuropathology, neurodevelopment and neu-
roradiology.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10172841
- **Project number:** 5R01AI153130-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** Karla Kaye Ausderau
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $769,480
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-06-01 → 2025-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10172841

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10172841, Early neural predictors and neuropathogenesis of sensorimotor neurodevelopmental deficits in macaque infants exposed to Zika virus in utero (5R01AI153130-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10172841. Licensed CC0.

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