Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Brain Inflammation From COVID-19 Looks Eerily Similar to That From Alzheimer's
https://www.sciencealert.com ^ | June 24, 2021 | CARLY CASSELLA

Posted on 06/24/2021 6:59:01 AM PDT by Red Badger

The SARS-CoV-2 virus doesn't just cause enduring damage to the lungs and the heart. A large number of patients who contract COVID-19 also report long-lasting neurological issues, including brain fog, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, hallucinations, headaches, and loss of smell or taste.

More than a year into the pandemic, scientists are still trying to figure out why. While some initial autopsies have found small signs of the virus within our brains, other autopsies have turned up nothing of significance.

Even if the SARS-CoV-2 virus doesn't directly infiltrate our noggins, or does so rarely, some scientists think its presence in the body can still trigger serious changes upstairs.

The most comprehensive molecular investigation to date has now uncovered extensive inflammation and degeneration in the brains of those who have died from COVID-19 - even when they didn't report any neurological symptoms in life.

The signs are eerily similar to what we see in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and yet no matter how hard the authors looked, they couldn't find any trace of the actual virus in the brain tissue.

It's possible the viral matter had already been cleared when these patients died, or it could be that SARS-CoV-2 is fanning the neurological flames from elsewhere in the body.

"The brains of patients who died from severe COVID-19 showed profound molecular markers of inflammation, even though those patients didn't have any reported clinical signs of neurological impairment," says neurologist Tony Wyss-Coray from Stanford University.

The study is small, but it suggests neurological damage may be common in severe cases of COVID-19, even when patients do not show any cognitive symptoms.

The study compared the brain tissue of 8 people who had died from COVID-19 with the brain tissue of 14 people who had died from other causes, including influenza.

Using single-cell RNA sequencing, the authors analyzed more than 65,000 frontal cortex and barrier cells, and their respective genes in each layer of the cortex. In every single type of brain cell examined, the team found certain genes were uniquely activated in COVID-19 patients, and many of these genes are involved in neuroinflammation.

"Together," the authors conclude, "these data reveal significant brain barrier inflammation in COVID-19."

The blood-brain barrier is a semipermeable border that separates select materials in the bloodstream from fluids that come into contact with brain tissues. This protects the brain from infection while still allowing certain nutrients and immune cells in.

But while the blood-brain barrier might be keeping the actual SARS-CoV-2 virus out, the inflammatory effects of COVID-19 could still be slipping through.

Certain immune cells, called T-cells, for instance, were far more abundant in the brains of those who had died from COVID-19. In fact, T-cell infiltration in the brain was apparent in all but one COVID-19 patient, while those in the control group showed none of these immune cells in their brain tissue.

An abundance of T-cells passing through the blood-brain barrier can promote neuroinflammation and impair tissue repair in mice, which means something similar could be happening in humans.

In the frontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making, memory, and mathematical reasoning, those who died from COVID-19 showed serious signs of neuronal distress.

The outermost layer in this part of the brain displayed different molecular changes compared to the control group, including heightened neuronal suppression and limited neuronal activation.

This is similar to what is seen in Alzheimer's disease, and it could be part of what's causing the neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19.

"Viral infection appears to trigger inflammatory responses throughout the body that may cause inflammatory signaling across the blood-brain barrier, which in turn could trip off neuroinflammation in the brain," explains Wyss-Coray.

"It's likely that many COVID-19 patients, especially those reporting or exhibiting neurological problems or those who are hospitalized, have these neuroinflammatory markers we saw in the people we looked at who had died from the disease."

Whether or not those who actually report neurological symptoms in life show greater neuroinflammation upon death is still unclear. But the findings suggest even if SARS-CoV-2 doesn't slip past the blood-brain barrier and even if no neurological symptoms are reported, the virus can still have a lasting effect on cognitive function.

When the authors compared the genes that were expressed differently in the brains of COVID-19 patients to other neurological disease and central nervous system disorders, they found several overlaps with Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, autism spectrum disorder, depression, and schizophrenia.

Other recent autopsy studies have also shown surprisingly widespread brain damage, usually associated with strokes and neuroinflammatory diseases in those who have died of COVID-19.

Given how widespread this virus has become, it is crucial we figure out how it might impact our neurological health in the long run.

The study was published in Nature.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government
KEYWORDS: adverseevents; chinavirusvaccine; sideeffects
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021 next last

1 posted on 06/24/2021 6:59:01 AM PDT by Red Badger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Happily part of the Control Group here.


2 posted on 06/24/2021 7:01:06 AM PDT by Uncle Miltie ("F-15s and Nukes" because they stole the election and feel the AR15 reckoning a-coming ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

No headaches or hallucinations yet in this COVID survivor. Yet.


3 posted on 06/24/2021 7:03:47 AM PDT by null and void (Nowadays the difference between conspiracy theory and truth is six months. H/T ebshumidors)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Let’s just ask the Chinese if this was one of the gain of function adds they did.


4 posted on 06/24/2021 7:05:49 AM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

For that matter, ask Fauci if this was on our receipt from the donations we gave.


5 posted on 06/24/2021 7:06:34 AM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: null and void

If you start to think and act like a Demonicrat, that could be symptomatic of COVID-19-induced Alzheimer’s.


6 posted on 06/24/2021 7:06:59 AM PDT by Carl Vehse
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Travis McGee

This might be a good thread for your graphic viral gain-of-function includes.

These crossover issues appear to come from the “unknown” area.


7 posted on 06/24/2021 7:10:31 AM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

HIV does not directly invade nerve cells (neurons) but puts their function at risk by infecting cells called glia that support and protect neurons. HIV also triggers inflammation that may damage the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) and cause symptoms such as:

confusion and forgetfulness
inability to concentrate
behavioral changes
headaches
mood disorders (anxiety disorder and depression)
movement problems (loss of movement control) including a lack of coordination and difficulty walking.

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Neurological-Complications-AIDS-Fact-Sheet

It has been noted that a theft of HIV samples from a lab in Canada prior to the original outbreak “may” have been mixed in with this virus in it’s conception.

wy69


8 posted on 06/24/2021 7:15:02 AM PDT by whitney69
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: null and void

I took palmitoylethanolamide when infected and continue to take it every day. Just had two capsules an hour ago. It prevents neuroinflammation. It also helps with neuropathic pain, meningitis and autism.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2018.02671/full


9 posted on 06/24/2021 7:19:29 AM PDT by packagingguy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Carl Vehse

So far I’m perfectly safe. Is it just me or is AOC really hot?


10 posted on 06/24/2021 7:57:36 AM PDT by null and void (Nowadays the difference between conspiracy theory and truth is six months. H/T ebshumidors)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: packagingguy

Thanks!


11 posted on 06/24/2021 7:58:35 AM PDT by null and void (Nowadays the difference between conspiracy theory and truth is six months. H/T ebshumidors)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: null and void

AOC will be really hot when she arrives back in Hades to join her sire, “Satan.”


12 posted on 06/24/2021 8:02:20 AM PDT by ExTexasRedhead
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: ExTexasRedhead
Q: What's the difference between AOC and Kamala?

A: One looks like a laughing jackass.
.....The other is a laughing jackass...

13 posted on 06/24/2021 8:11:00 AM PDT by null and void (Nowadays the difference between conspiracy theory and truth is six months. H/T ebshumidors)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
Many people who took the "vaccine" have experienced neurological problems like "brain fog", palsy, loss of feeling, bad headaches, etc. Apparently the "vaccine" gets across the blood-brain barrier.

This is really ominous.

14 posted on 06/24/2021 8:11:15 AM PDT by Gritty (Political opponents using the law as a weapon threaten the very foundation of our liberty-Pres Trump)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gritty
Apparently the "vaccine" gets across the blood-brain barrier.

Where did you "learn" this information?

15 posted on 06/24/2021 8:29:49 AM PDT by mac_truck (aide toi et dieu t'aidera)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: null and void

With AOC ou will get SCREWED , but you won’t get Kissed!!


16 posted on 06/24/2021 8:34:08 AM PDT by chicagolady (Mexican Elite say: EXPORT Poverty and Let the the Stupid AmericanTaxpayer foot the bill !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

My brother is suffering from this after effect of Covid. He was treated with antibiotics only and was hospitalized for a time. I wonder if he had received the right drugs (hydroxy... or ivermectin) if he would have completely recovered.


17 posted on 06/24/2021 8:37:43 AM PDT by punknpuss
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: chicagolady

I would be concerned about losing body parts should that mouth get anywhere near me...


18 posted on 06/24/2021 8:40:02 AM PDT by null and void (Nowadays the difference between conspiracy theory and truth is six months. H/T ebshumidors)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: punknpuss

Prayers for your brother!............................


19 posted on 06/24/2021 8:47:17 AM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Thank you for your prayers. When our father passed away in February he decided not to come to the funeral. He seems to have developed agoraphobia since his bout with the coronavirus. I don’t know if it’s related to his neurological difficulties. It’s very trying for him.


20 posted on 06/24/2021 12:47:36 PM PDT by punknpuss
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson