A calcium-channel antagonist can prevent paramyxovirus-induced neurodegeneration.

Mumps virus caused a partially lytic infection in cultivated rat embryonic dorsal root ganglion neurons with a restricted formation of viral components. The neuronal degeneration was markedly enhanced by increasing the calcium concentration of the medium and could be almost totally inhibited by the dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist nifedipine. The drug had no effect on a productive and completely lytic Sendai virus infection of the neurons. A previous neurophysiological study has shown that a reduced calcium influx occurs during the action potential early during the infection. The present study suggests a crucial role of calcium in neurodegeneration induced by certain viruses.