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https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/03/14/uw-study-long-covid-inflamation>
'Three years after long COVID was first documented, the mysteries behind what
causes it are starting to be unraveled.
Driving the news: Some of the mental symptoms of long COVID like brain fog and
memory issues are likely sparked by inflammation, according to a new study
published this month by researchers with the University of Washington School of
Medicine, the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, and Oregon
Health & Science University.
The big picture: While the relationship between long COVID and inflammatory
diseases is still being studied, there is a growing body of work suggesting a
link between the virus and inflammatory diseases that affect the brain.
* "(COVID) may make it worse, bring it on sooner, or it may cause its own
version of cognitive impairment," said researcher William Banks, a professor
with the UW Division of Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine and associate chief of
staff for research and development at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System.
Details: Researchers administered SARS-CoV-2 to mice.
* The study showed that the S1 protein, the virus' characteristic spike
protein, readily passes through the blood-brain barrier.
* Once there, the protein generates inflammation that can spur problems with
learning and memory and accelerate the effects of Alzheimer's and other
cognitive impairments, Banks said.
It's still not clear why some people get long COVID and others do not,
according to the CDC, but among those at higher risk include those who either
got severely sick from COVID or had underlying conditions prior to infection.'
Via Frederick Wilson II.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
