Covid and Brain Damage

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 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”

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.

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

“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."

“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.”

“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.”

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.

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.

“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:

It’s not “empathy burnout.” It’s Covid brain damage. From neuropathologist: “Covid damages the frontal lobe of the brain.

Many areas of the frontal lobe are essential to the execution of empathy.

Most people are on their 3rd/4th+ infection/s already.

But it’s ‘empathy burnout”’

At least they’re recognising the loss of function I suppose. Many can’t.”

Limbic system damage from Covid:

SARS-CoV-2 is a neurotropic virus that may cause long-term neurological symptoms by damaging the limbic system.

This research shows that COVID-19 can impair emotion recognition, memory, and olfactory abilities, with altered brain connectivity patterns.

“The buddy from college I talk about every now and again.

He’s prolly 50 or so. He posted this a few days ago. He has already had a rough go of it, he has a daughter he is devoted to, and who loves him immensely.

I am as sad as I am angry. “

“Ugh. The more we learn about it, the uglier it looks.

This, again, speaks to my point about tail risk in an emergent situation: it’s at least as bad as it looks. It may be worse.

We are badly underestimating the consequences of delayed risk. It’s a reckless approach. (1/)”

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.