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"... A groundbreaking study has revealed that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein can remain in the skull’s bone marrow and brain-protective tissues, such as the meninges, for up to four years after infection. This prolonged presence may lead to chronic brain inflammation, accelerating brain ageing and increasing risks of neurodegenerative diseases and strokes. Importantly, the study highlights that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduce the accumulation of spike protein in these regions, providing crucial, though incomplete, protection against long-term neurological effects. ..."
From the highlights and abstract:
"Highlights
• SARS-CoV-2 spike protein persists in the skull-meninges-brain axis in COVID-19 patients
• Spike protein is sufficient to induce brain pathological and behavioral changes in mice
• Spike protein enhances brain vulnerability and exacerbates neurological damage in mice
• mRNA vaccines reduce, but do not eliminate, the spike burden
Summary
SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with long-lasting neurological symptoms, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Using optical clearing and imaging, we observed the accumulation of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in the skull-meninges-brain axis of human COVID-19 patients, persisting long after viral clearance. Further, biomarkers of neurodegeneration were elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid from long COVID patients, and proteomic analysis of human skull, meninges, and brain samples revealed dysregulated inflammatory pathways and neurodegeneration-associated changes.
Similar distribution patterns of the spike protein were observed in SARS-CoV-2-infected mice.
Injection of spike protein alone was sufficient to induce neuroinflammation, proteome changes in the skull-meninges-brain axis, anxiety-like behavior, and exacerbated outcomes in mouse models of stroke and traumatic brain injury. Vaccination reduced but did not eliminate spike protein accumulation after infection in mice. Our findings suggest persistent spike protein at the brain borders may contribute to lasting neurological sequelae of COVID-19."
Persistence of spike protein at the skull-meninges-brain axis may contribute to the neurological sequelae of COVID-19 (open access)
Graphical abstract:
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