Level A2 – High beginner / ElementaryCEFR A2
2 min
82 words
Scientists infected several mouse strains with a virus to see how their nerves reacted. One strain, called CC023, responded in a way that looked like people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The team watched inflammation, virus levels and symptoms over short and long periods. In CC023 mice the virus cleared but muscle loss and nerve damage continued.
Researchers say CC023 could help find biomarkers that appear after infection and support testing of new treatments, especially for sporadic ALS that is not inherited.
Difficult words
- infect — Give a disease or germ to an animalinfected
- strain — A type or group of animals used in researchstrains
- inflammation — Body reaction with redness, swelling or pain
- clear — Become free of a virus or infectioncleared
- biomarker — A sign in the body that shows diseasebiomarkers
- sporadic — Happening sometimes and not passed by genes
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why do researchers want to find biomarkers after infection?
- Would you test a new treatment in mice before people? Why or why not?
- What does "sporadic ALS" mean in this article?
