A new preprint study shows that the SARS-CoV-2 protein ORF6 directly kills human neurons. Not by accident, but through necroptosis - a kind of cell death where neurons burst and fuel inflammation. This may underlie the long-term brain symptoms of Long COVID.
How does a transient viral infection like COVID lead to long lasting neurologic symptoms?
In humans and in animal models, SARS-CoV-2 can damage peripheral sensory nerves in the nose, leaving behind debris that can then trigger inflammation in brain microglia for weeks to months after infection, which can then lead to post-viral neurological symptoms like cognitive dysfunction (brain fog).
The peripheral neuron-to-microglia axis offers a potential explanation for persistent inflammation seen in conditions like Long COVID and ME/CFS.
New Nature study shows SARS2 significantly elevates the risk of neuropsychiatric conditions including anxiety, mood disorders, cognitive impairment and psychotic disorders for up to 6 months.
“Alarmingly, even individuals with mild or asymptomatic infections face elevated risk.”
“Let’s talk about COVID, brain damage & society.
Specifically, what happens when a neurotropic virus repeatedly infects the population, targeting the frontal lobe & almost nobody talks about the consequences?
This thread is for the skeptics.
I’m a neurologist, stay with me 🧵”
“significant memory and executive function decline lasting up to a year, despite no reported subjective symptoms, prompting new questions about the virus’s long-term cognitive effects.”
“Long COVID can injure the brain - and persistent autoimmunity could be a major driver. A study links persistent AT1 receptor autoantibodies (AT1-AA) with neuroaxonal injury and cognitive symptoms. Here’s what it means🧵”
“COVID-19 survivors were at higher adjusted risk of mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and dyspnea. • COVID-19 may be a risk factor for onset of symptoms and adverse events in patients with neurological conditions”
“Dad, 41, Diagnosed with Alzheimer's: 'You Feel Guilty That You're Doing That to the Kids' Fraser is sharing his symptoms — and what he’s learned about the disease — on his YouTube channel”
Even mild Covid changes children’s brains.
“We speculate that viral-triggered neuroinflammation and immune response contribute to neurotoxic damage in brain regions involved in cognitive processing, ultimately resulting in alterations in cortical morphology and glymphatic function.”
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