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.
“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”
Exploring the Persistence of the Spike Protein along the Skull-Meninges-Brain Axis and the Neurological Effects of COVID-19
This analysis is supported by numerous videos and illustrations.
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.
“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."
Nearly half of those infected with SARS-CoV-2 experience long-term neurological problems, including brain fog and memory issues.
An infection may accelerate or exacerbate prion diseases like Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, leading to rapid neurodegeneration.
Covid itself causes cognitive impairment. From 2020, prior to Covid vaccination of any kind:
“In our cohort of COVID-19 patients neurologic manifestations were frequent, including cognitive impairment.”
Yet another stretch for one size fits all explanation of a multifaceted condition. Still, important finding:
“A groundbreaking study from the University of Colorado Boulder has uncovered a potential mechanism behind the persistent neurological symptoms experienced by many Long COVID sufferers. The research, published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, points to a significant drop in cortisol levels in the brain as a possible culprit, offering new insights into this complex and widespread condition.”
