Studies Reveal SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Persists in Brain for 4-13 Months, Linked to Hyperphosphorylated Tau and Long COVID

Nov 29, 2024, 04:08 PM

Recent studies have highlighted the persistence of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in the brain and its potential link to long COVID. Research indicates that postmortem brain samples from COVID-19 convalescents who died 4 to 13 months after infection exhibited an increase in hyperphosphorylated tau protein, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease. Another study revealed that the spike protein accumulates in the skull, meninges, and brain, potentially causing neurological damage. While mRNA vaccines can reduce the spike burden, they do not completely eliminate it. Additionally, a multiomics study of long COVID patients showed distinct immune signatures that vary by sex, suggesting the need for tailored clinical trials and treatments.