COVID & the BRAIN… a thread 🧵
Covid and Brain Damage
Hamsters with long Covid exhibits a neurodegenerative signature in the brainstem
“Using the golden hamster as a model, we provide further evidence that SARS-CoV-2 is neuroinvasive and can persist in the central nervous system, as we found viral RNA and replicative virus in the brainstem after 80 days of infection.”
Association between COVID-19 infection and new-onset dementia in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis - BMC Geriatrics
“11 studies (involving 939,824 post-COVID-19 survivors and 6,765,117 controls) were included in the review. Across a median observation period of 12 months post-COVID, the overall incidence of NOD was about 1.82% in the COVID-infected group, compared to 0.35% in the non-COVID-infected group. The overall pooled meta-analysis showed a significantly increased NOD risk among COVID-19 older adult survivors compared to non-COVID-19 controls”
11 studies (involving 939,824 post-COVID-19 survivors and 6,765,117 controls) were included in the review. Across a median observation period of 12 months post-COVID, the overall incidence of NOD was about 1.82% in the COVID-infected group, compared to 0.35% in the non-COVID-infected group. The overall pooled meta-analysis showed a significantly increased NOD risk among COVID-19 older adult survivors compared to non-COVID-19 controls
Association between COVID-19 infection and new-onset dementia in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis - BMC Geriatrics
Older adults recovering from COVID-19 face a 58% higher risk of developing dementia compared to those uninfected, with rates peaking 12 months post-infection.
Study reviewed 11 studies, 940k cases, 6.8M controls.
SARS-CoV-2 infection in microglia and its sequelae: What do we know so far?
“SARS-CoV-2 may infect CNS, affecting microglia and brain cells. • Neuroinflammation from SARS-CoV-2 could lead to long COVID memory issues.”
SARS-CoV-2 may infect CNS, affecting microglia and brain cells.•Neuroinflammation from SARS-CoV-2 could lead to long COVID memory issues.
Long COVID: SARS-CoV-2 spike protein accumulation linked to long-lasting brain effects
“The study shows that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein remains in the brain's protective layers, the meninges, and the skull's bone marrow for up to four years after infection. This persistent presence of the spike protein could trigger chronic inflammation in affected individuals and increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.”
The study shows that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein remains in the brain's protective layers, the meninges, and the skull's bone marrow for up to four years after infection. This persistent presence of the spike protein could trigger chronic inflammation in affected individuals and increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Video showing accumulation of spike protein (red) in skull bone marrow from a patient who died from Covid
Video showing accumulation of spike protein (red) in skull bone marrow from a patient who died from Covid
Persistence of spike protein at the skull-meninges-brain axis may contribute to the neurological sequelae of COVID-19
Evidence that a COVID-19 infection can induce neurological sequelae.
The SARSCoV2 spike protein can persist in the brain—skull bone marrow and meninges—to induce neurologic damage
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein accumulates & persists in the body for years after infection, especially in the skull-meninges-brain axis, potentially driving long COVID. mRNA vaccines help but cannot stop it.
In mice, it caused inflammation, anxiety, and worsened brain injuries. Vaccines reduced but did not fully eliminate it.
SARS-CoV-2 can infect and replicate in human motor neurons
SARS-CoV-2 can enter human motor neurons primarily through the receptors CD147 and NRP1.
The infection alters the expression of several genes involved in cell survival, metabolism, inflammatory response, and antiviral pathways.
Cognitive deficits after COVID-19 associated with brain injury biomarkers and volume loss
“Cognitive deficits after COVID-19 associated with brain injury biomarkers and volume loss”
The study found that patients hospitalized with COVID-19, both with and without acute neurological complications, had worse cognitive scores than expected for their age, sex, and education level. These cognitive deficits were observed across all cognitive domains tested. The cognitive impairment was associated with increased levels of brain injury biomarkers in the blood and reduced volume of a specific brain region (the anterior cingulate cortex) on MRI scans. Factors like the severity of the initial COVID-19 illness and the presence of acute confusion (encephalopathy) were linked to the worst cognitive scores.
Cognitive deficits after COVID-19 associated with brain injury biomarkers and volume loss
Cognitive deficits after COVID-19 associated with brain injury biomarkers and volume loss
“Cognitive deficits after COVID-19 associated with brain injury biomarkers and volume loss”
Honestly it kinda pisses me off how some people act like we can't talk about the brain damage from Covid, especially on the population level.
“Honestly it kinda pisses me off how some people act like we can't talk about the brain damage from Covid, especially on the population level. Yes, it's important to consider the ableism. But I have brain damage from Covid, including to my emotions, and we need to talk about it...”
SARS-CoV-2 infection in hiPSC-derived neurons is cathepsin-dependent and causes accumulation of HIF1alpha and phosphorylated tau
SARS-CoV-2 infects neurons using cathepsins, causing tau changes linked to Alzheimer’s and neuron death within days
This suggests neurodegenerative risks and potential for cathepsin inhibitors as treatment
Frontiers | Frequency of Neurological Diseases After COVID-19, Influenza A/B and Bacterial Pneumonia
A study of electronic medical records of 35,362 COVID-19 outpatients in Denmark showed an increased relative risk (RR) of 3.5 for Alzheimer's disease and 2.6 for Parkinson's disease compared to outpatients who did not have COVID-19.
Cross-Section of Neurological Manifestations Among SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Subvariants—Single-Center Study
“The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 presents a wide spectrum of neurological manifestations."
"Although there is an improvement in the survival rate of patients with COVID-19, the frequency of neurological manifestations increases."
"The occurrence of delirium, cerebrovascular diseases, and ischemic stroke results in higher mortality."
Part 2 of 2
Part 1 of 2
Why people can no longer drive.
Brain-wide alterations revealed by spatial transcriptomics and proteomics in COVID-19 infection
“We identified dysregulation of mitochondrial and synaptic pathways in deep-layer excitatory neurons and upregulation of neuroinflammation in glia, consistent across both mRNA and protein. Remarkably, these alterations overlapped substantially with changes in age-related neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease”
We identified dysregulation of mitochondrial and synaptic pathways in deep-layer excitatory neurons and upregulation of neuroinflammation in glia, consistent across both mRNA and protein. Remarkably, these alterations overlapped substantially with changes in age-related neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease
Cognition and Memory after Covid-19 in a Large Community Sample | NEJM
Cognition and Memory after Covid-19 in a Large Community Sample
Cognition and Memory after Covid-19 in a Large Community Sample
Well, shit. SARS-Cov-2 causes impairment of the cholesterol efflux pathway, leading to foam cell formation and prion disease. Just like with HIV due to the protein found at citation #33. Talk about a clusterfuck.
“Well, shit. SARS-Cov-2 causes impairment of the cholesterol efflux pathway, leading to foam cell formation and prion disease. Just like with HIV due to the protein found at citation #33. “
We Just Got More Evidence That Long COVID Is a Brain Injury
“Signs of brain inflammation were present up to 18 months after first contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
‘We show that the brainstem is a site of vulnerability to long-term effects of COVID-19, with persistent changes evident in the months after hospitalization,’ the authors of the study conclude.”
Signs of brain inflammation were present up to 18 months after first contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
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"We show that the brainstem is a site of vulnerability to long-term effects of COVID-19, with persistent changes evident in the months after hospitalization," the authors of the study conclude.
Posthospitalization COVID-19 cognitive deficits at 1 year are global and associated with elevated brain injury markers and gray matter volume reduction - PubMed
“Posthospitalization COVID-19 cognitive deficits at 1 year are global and associated with elevated brain injury markers and gray matter volume reduction”
Posthospitalization
If you’re not noticing the (obvious) cognitive impairment in practically everyone around you, it may be due to your own cognitive decline.
“If you’re not noticing the (obvious) cognitive impairment in practically everyone around you, it may be due to your own cognitive decline.
Or denial is rearing its ugly head once again.
Perhaps it’s easier for me considering my background, but honestly, it’s so bloody palpable.”
Mounting research shows that COVID-19 leaves its mark on the brain, including significant drops in IQ scores : r/news
“Mounting research shows that COVID-19 leaves its mark on the brain, including significant drops in IQ scores"
COVID and the brain: researchers zero in on how damage occurs
SARS-CoV-2 preferentially infects astrocytes, which support neuron function, potentially leading to symptoms like fatigue and confusion.
SARS-CoV-2 can also infect pericytes, leading to restricted blood flow and small-vessel strokes.
Frontiers | SARS-CoV-2 infection increases risk of intracranial hemorrhage
“SARS-CoV-2 infection increases risk of intracranial hemorrhage”
SARS-CoV-2 infection increases risk of intracranial hemorrhage
A case-control study of reaction time deficits in a 3D virtual reality in patients with Post-COVID syndrome
“A case-control study of reaction time deficits in a 3D virtual reality in patients with Post-COVID syndrome”
A case-control study of reaction time deficits in a 3D virtual reality in patients with Post-COVID syndrome
From COVID to Cognition | Kentucky researchers find COVID-19 could lead to Alzheimer's
“From COVID to Cognition | Kentucky researchers find COVID-19 could lead to Alzheimer's”
From COVID to Cognition | Kentucky researchers find COVID-19 could lead to Alzheimer's
Serotonin reduction in post-acute sequelae of viral infection
Long COVID is linked to reduced serotonin levels, which are driven by viral RNA-induced type I interferons (IFNs).
Peripheral serotonin deficiency impairs cognition by reducing vagal nerve signaling, affecting hippocampal responses and memory.
Studies re Long Covid insist on stating the % of people who succumb to this sequelae. I’ve seen incident rates from 3.5% up to 38% (after 3rd infection).
“GreyBut what every single one of these studies fail to mention is that the reduction in grey matter occurs in 100% of individuals"
A thread with studies: