COVID & the BRAIN… a thread 🧵
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.
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."
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
Pioneering discovery and therapeutics at the brain-vascular-immune interface
A new paper in Cell, “Pioneering discovery and therapeutics at the brain-vascular-immune interface,” describes COVID-19 as a neurological disease alongside multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, stroke and traumatic brain injury.
“COVID-19 can accelerate progression of dementia and induce BBB disruption and inflammatory blood clots causally linked with neuroinflammation and neuronal loss.8 In neurodevelopmental disorders, prematurity and perinatal hypoxia that trigger brain hemorrhage and BBB disruption are risk factors for cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and autism. Collectively, these risk factors highlight the interconnected vascular and immune triggers of neurological diseases.”
Severe Covid infections can inflame brain’s ‘control centre’, research says
“Severe Covid infections can drive inflammation in the brain’s ‘control centre’ researchers say, leading to damage that may explain the long-term breathlessness, fatigue and anxiety some patients experience.
Covid Brain
“But this week 2 new publications have substantially added to our understanding of the extent that Covid can impair cognitive function across the full gamut— from young, healthy individuals with mild infections to older, hospitalized patients with severe Covid.”
Neurological complications caused by SARS-CoV-2
Very comprehensive evaluation of known neurological damage from SarsCov2:
“The pathogenesis of neurological disorders caused by SARS-CoV-2 involves several mechanisms. First, SARS-CoV-2 could enter the brain through retrograde transmission & hematogenous routes & disrupt brain function & structure, thus causing or exacerbating neurological disorders…”
BLOOMBERG TWEETING OUT COVID has all sorts of cognitive issues and of a coming SURGE OF DEMENTIA?
Does Covid Lead to Dementia? Here's What the Virus May Have Done to Y…
Non paywall version of catalogued Bloomberg article
Scientists are worried that persisting cognitive issues may signal a coming surge of dementia and other mental conditions
What We Know About Covid’s Impact on Your Brain
“Scientists are worried that persisting cognitive issues may signal a coming surge of dementia and other mental conditions”
COVID's Inflammation Linked to Long-Term Brain Effects - Neuroscience News
“A significant portion of COVID-19 survivors, even those who had mild cases, may experience cognitive decline and difficulty concentrating for extended periods after the infection.”
Blood–brain barrier disruption and sustained systemic inflammation in individuals with long COVID-associated cognitive impairment
Covid can disrupt the blood brain barrier, the shield that protects the nervous system making it ‘leaky’.
COVID-related loss of smell tied to changes in the brain | CIDRAP
“On MRI conducted during the game, loss of smell was associated with decreased functional activity during decision-making, loss of white-matter integrity, and thinning of the outer layer of the cerebrum in the parietal regions (responsible for processing sensory input, understanding spatial relationships, and how to navigate).”
Brain effects of mild COVID-19 in healthy young adults: A pilot study
“Our pilot data suggests that mild COVID-19 may result in brain pathology and impact neurocognitive function in younger adults in a manner parallel to prior findings in older individuals. Though findings may not generalize to other SARS-CoV-2 variants, larger longitudinal studies of mild COVID-19 should be undertaken to understand the potential clinical implications of these findings over the longer term.”
Our pilot data suggests that mild COVID-19 may result in brain pathology and impact neurocognitive function in younger adults in a manner parallel to prior findings in older individuals. Though findings may not generalize to other SARS-CoV-2 variants, larger longitudinal studies of mild COVID-19 should be undertaken to understand the potential clinical implications of these findings over the longer term.
Study uncovers the basis of COVID-19-related brain fog | University of Minnesota
EXTREME and incomplete oversimplification of the many complex neurological issues caused by SarsCov2, but important facet of the vaguely defined “brain fog” of Long Covid and post-acute Covid lingering symptoms.
“Neurological symptoms have been widely observed in COVID-19 patients, with many survivors exhibiting persistent neurological and cognitive impairment. New research from the University of Minnesota found that COVID-19 triggers inflammation in the brain, which is linked to many COVID-related symptoms such as fatigue and ‘brain fog.’”
Patients recovering from COVID-19 who presented with anosmia during their acute episode have behavioral, functional, and structural brain alterations
“Patients recovering from COVID-19 who presented with anosmia during their acute episode have behavioral, functional, and structural brain alterations”