Potential coronavirus infection might catalyze the accumulation of Alzheimer's-related proteins within the brain and eyes, suggests research.
COVID-19, the viral pandemic that has affected millions worldwide, may have far-reaching effects on neurological health, according to a groundbreaking study led by Yale University and published in Science Advances. The research suggests a potential link between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease, focusing on the buildup of amyloid beta protein clumps in the brain and eyes—proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease.
The study reveals that SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, can induce Alzheimer's-related amyloid beta pathology, particularly in retinal tissue and likely in the brain as well. This amyloid beta buildup is associated with Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by memory loss and cognitive decline.
Mechanistically, the involvement of neuropilin-1 (NRP1), a molecular target implicated in viral entry and amyloid beta aggregation, strengthens this connection. Some scientists propose amyloid beta accumulation as part of the brain's innate immune response to viral infections, suggesting that infection-induced plaque formation might contribute to Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis.
Moreover, COVID-19 and other infections can cause persistent neuroinflammation via elevated cytokines like IL-6 and CCL2, harming brain cells and accelerating the buildup of Alzheimer’s-associated proteins. Importantly, the olfactory nerve route—linked to smell loss in both COVID-19 and Alzheimer's—is a potential pathway for viral invasion into brain areas critical for memory and cognition.
Ongoing studies, including large community-based cohorts, are investigating whether SARS-CoV-2 infection accelerates cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s risk over time. Researchers are also exploring therapeutic strategies such as NRP1 inhibitors to prevent viral-induced amyloid pathology and its neurological consequences.
Brian Hafler, an ophthalmologist at Yale School of Medicine, stated that there is growing evidence linking COVID-19 and brain fog. The study's findings could have implications for the development of treatments for COVID-19-related neurological symptoms, such as brain fog.
The NRP1 protein may serve as an entry point for viruses into human eyes and brains, and other viruses may trigger similar amyloid beta buildups, requiring further research. The study sheds light on COVID-19 brain fog, a commonly reported symptom following infection, and contributes to understanding the complex relationship between COVID-19 and neurological health.
While definitive causal links and the long-term impact require further research, the evidence supports that COVID-19-induced amyloid beta buildup in the brain and eyes may increase Alzheimer's risk. The research team is conducting clinical studies to determine if COVID-19 increases the long-term risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study provides evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can induce amyloid beta accumulation in the central nervous system, but the specific impact on brain health and the development of Alzheimer’s disease remains unclear.
In conclusion, this study offers a valuable insight into the potential link between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease, opening new avenues for research and potential therapeutic strategies. As the pandemic continues, understanding the long-term effects of COVID-19 on neurological health remains a critical area of focus for scientists worldwide.
[1] Science Advances. (2021). SARS-CoV-2-induced amyloid-β pathology in human retinal tissue and organoids. [2] Hafler, B. et al. (2021). SARS-CoV-2-induced amyloid-β pathology in human retinal tissue and organoids. [3] Alzheimer's Association. (2021). Researchers to Investigate Long-term Impact of COVID-19 on Alzheimer's Risk. [4] Alzheimer's Research & Therapy. (2021). Neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's disease: an update on mechanisms and treatments.
- The study published in Science Advances suggests that COVID-19, through the SARS-CoV-2 virus, can induce amyloid beta pathology, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease, a mental health condition that leads to memory loss and cognitive decline.
- Ongoing studies are investigating whether SARS-CoV-2 infection, which can induce amyloid beta buildup in the brain and eyes, accelerates cognitive decline and increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
- Researchers are exploring therapies and treatments, such as NRP1 inhibitors, to prevent viral-induced amyloid pathology and its neurological consequences, including neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
