Gestational inoculation by the Zika virus causes cognitive impairment and Na+K+-ATPase activity imbalance in frontal cortex of adult male and female Wistar rat’s offspring

It has been recently described the Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). Children from pregnant women who were infected by the virus have expressed a set of symptoms, particularly involving neurological disorders such as microcephaly. Animal models have been conducted aiming to enhance the knowledge about the CZS and giving support for future studies proposing prevention and treatment for this condition. The aim of the present study was to advance in establishing a rat model of CZS observing the impact of zika inoculation during pregnancy on the cognitive processes and nervous tissue damage in the male and female adult offspring. The results revealed the offspring of the inoculated group had impairment in the working memory and learning revealed by the Morris water maze and the OX-maze task, both cortex-dependent tasks. No changes in the brain volume were observed. In addition, Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity decrease in the frontal cortex was identified in the zika group. The impact was observed in both male and female animals. Maternal ZIKV infection did not alter the BDNF levels and its receptor TrkB. In conclusion, it is clearly demonstrated the impaired cognition associated to Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity disturbance in cortex, consequent to ZIKV gestational inoculation, during adulthood. These findings contribute to the understanding of Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) and provide insights for the development of a rat model of the syndrome, highlighting that its effects persist into adulthood, resulting in permanent impacts on neurodevelopment.