Covid-19 Spike Proteins Persist in Brain for Years, Fueling Long Covid Symptoms: Study
A new study has shed light on why some Covid-19 survivors continue to experience persistent neurological symptoms linked to Long Covid. Researchers have discovered that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein can linger in the brain and skull bone marrow for years after infection, potentially driving chronic inflammation and increasing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Long Covid symptoms associated with neurological issues include headaches, insomnia, vertigo, brain fog, delirium, depression, PTSD, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, ataxia (coordination difficulties), bradykinesia (slowed movement), tremors, and sudden muscle twitches or jerks (myoclonus).
The study, conducted by scientists from Helmholtz Munich and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU), was published in Cell Host & Microbe. It revealed that spike proteins persist in the brain’s protective layers (meninges) and the skull’s bone marrow for up to four years after infection, potentially heightening the risk of chronic inflammation and conditions like Alzheimer’s.
Importantly, the study also found that mRNA Covid-19 vaccines can help reduce the accumulation of spike proteins in the brain. These findings open the door to new therapeutic approaches aimed at mitigating the long-term effects of spike protein persistence.
The groundbreaking discovery was made possible by an advanced AI-powered imaging technique developed by Prof. Ali Ertürk’s team. This method allows three-dimensional visualization of cellular structures and viral proteins, uncovering previously undetectable distributions of spike proteins in tissue samples from Covid-19 patients and mice.
Researchers observed significantly elevated levels of spike proteins in the meninges and skull bone marrow, which bind to ACE2 receptors, known to be abundant in these areas. This discovery provides critical insights into the lingering effects of Covid-19 and potential avenues for treatment.
About The Author
