Implications of Zika virus exposure during gestation for the development of visual function

• Grant number: 16/24631-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: April 01, 2017
• End date: March 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Physiological Psychology
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Dora Selma Fix Ventura
• Grantee: Diego da Silva Lima
• Host Institution: Instituto de Psicologia (IP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/26818-2 - Development and implementation of visual evaluation methods: clinical applications and animal models, AP.TEM

Abstract

Neurological damages due to congenital infection by Zika Virus (ZIKV) are one of the most serious public health issues recently. In many cases of the infection, ocular problems (such as macular mottling, chorioretinal atrophy and optic nerve alterations) are present. The presence of those pathologies since the first year of life is particularly concerning, because this is a critical period for the development of visual function. Visual acuity assessments of children exposed to Zika Virus since the first months of life are a relevant research strategy, because it can reveal how damages due to the infection interfere with normal developmental trajectories for vision. The present proposal is an observational study that aims to determine the visual acuity of children exposed to ZIKV. Children will be assigned to three groups: A Control group, of children that were not exposed to the virus, the "Zika 1" group, of children exposed to the virus during gestation, but that does not have known ocular or systemic pathologies, and the "Zika 2" group, of children exposed to the virus during gestation and that present ocular pathologies and/or microcephaly. All children will have their visual acuity assessed at 2, 4, 6 and 9 (or 10) months of age through the psychophysical technique of Preferential Looking and, when possible, through the electrophysiological technique of Sweep Visual Evoked Potential. The present study will not only contribute to describe the ZIKV congenital infection, but will also allow the elaboration of more precise prognosis, since by relating the visual acuity with the clinical condition of children, it will be possible to identify risk factors for visual loss. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PORTNOI BARAN, LUIZ CLAUDIO; LIMA, DIEGO DA SILVA; DA COSTA, MARCELO FERNANDES; TABARES, HEYDI SEGUNDO; DA SILVA, LEONARDO APARECIDO; DIAS, SARAH LEONARDO; ZIN, ANDREA; VENTURA, DORA FIX. Visual Acuity alterations in Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) children from Rio de Janeiro. INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, v. 61, n. 7, p. 3-pg., 2020-06-01. (14/26818-2, 16/24631-8, 16/14793-0, 16/22007-5, 16/04538-3)

LIMA, DIEGO DA SILVA; PORTNOI BARAN, LUIZ CLAUDIO; HAMER, RUSSELL DAVID; DA COSTA, MARCELO FERNANDES; VIDAL, KALLENE SUMMER; DAMICO, FRANCISCO MAX; SALGUEIRO BARBONI, MIRELLA TELLES; RODRIGUES DE MATOS FRANCA, VALTENICE DE CASSIA; GOMES MARTINS, CRISTIANE MARIA; TABARES, HEYDI SEGUNDO; et al. Longitudinal visual acuity development in ZIKV-exposed children. JOURNAL OF AAPOS, v. 24, n. 1, FEB 2020. (14/26818-2, 16/22007-5, 16/14793-0, 13/05942-4, 16/24631-8, 17/16948-4)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

LIMA, Diego da Silva. Implications of Zika Virus exposure during pregnancy for visual function development. 2019. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Psicologia (IP/SBD) São Paulo.