Authors: Yuzhou Xiao, ;Chunqi Liu, Xiaojie Wang, Hongchun Li, Liang Wang, Kun Gou, Xingchen Liu, Xinqi Guan, Xia Zhou, Xiumei He, Yue Zhao, Lei Tao, Xiaodan Pan, Linhong Jiang, Yaxing Chen, Huan Liu, Yanping Dai, Qian Bu, Meng Qin, Ruiming Zhu, Bo Chen, Angelo D. Flores, Yinglan Zhao, and Xiaobo Cen
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 03 March 2025
Scientists use Axion’s label-free Maestro MEA platform to explore neurological side effects associated with the antiviral drug favipiravir in vitro.
Favipiravir (FVP) is an antiviral drug commonly used to treat influenza, Ebola, rabies, norovirus, and SARS-CoV-2 but has been associated with potential neurological side effects, particularly anxiety-like behavior. In this study, researchers use mouse models to examine the side effects associated with FVP and explore potential pathological mechanisms. Using Axion’s industry-leading Maestro MEA platform to investigate the effects of FVP on primary amygdala neurons in vitro in real time, the results demonstrated that FVP decreased neural activity, indicated by decreased number of active electrodes, spikes, bursts, and network bursts in a dose-dependent manner. Importantly, activity was rescued via treatment with DHA-PL liposomes or PLA2 inhibition. Overall, the authors propose that “dysregulated glycerophospholipid metabolism in the amygdala may contribute to the adverse effect of favipiravir.”
