Covid-19 may enter your brain and cause inflammation

A new study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience suggested that Covid-19 may enter brain. Here’s what you need to know.

By: Arushi Bidhuri | | Published: December 18, 2020 6:41 pm

A new study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience suggested that Covid-19 may enter brain. Here’s what you need to know.

Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus SARS-Cov2, can do more damage to your body than you think. Although it primarily affects the respiratory system, it can also affect other organs, including your brain. A new study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience suggested that coronavirus may enter the brain. Also Read - Don’t expect to get rid of coronavirus by 2021: WHO warns of continued Covid-19 transmission

Covid-19 May Enter Brain

According to the study, Covid-19 can enter the brain. People with Covid-19 may suffer from cognitive effects, such as brain fog and fatigue. Researchers found that the spike protein, often depicted as the red arms of the virus, can cross the blood-brain barrier in mice. Also Read - Planning for a trip? In-flight spread of coronavirus possible during long-haul travel, says study

“The spike protein often called the S1 protein, dictates which cells the virus can enter. Usually, the virus does the same thing as its binding protein,” said lead author William A Banks from the University of Washington in the US. Also Read - Coronavirus vaccine: This nasal spray can block the virus for upto 2 days

Banks said binding proteins like S1 usually by themselves cause damage as they detach from the virus and cause inflammation.

“The S1 protein likely causes the brain to release cytokines and inflammatory products,” he said.

In science circles, the intense inflammation caused by the Covid-19 infection is called a cytokine storm.

The immune system, upon seeing the virus and its proteins, overreacts in its attempt to kill the invading virus. The infected person is left with brain fog, fatigue and other cognitive issues.

SARS-CoV2 And HIV

The research team saw this reaction with HIV and wanted to see if the same was happening with SARS CoV-2.

Banks said the S1 protein in SARS-CoV2 and the GP 120 protein in HIV-1 function similarly.

They are glycoproteins – proteins that have a lot of sugars on them, hallmarks of proteins that bind to other receptors.

Both these proteins function as the arms and hand for their viruses by grabbing onto other receptors. Both cross the blood-brain barrier and S1, like gp120, is likely toxic to brain tissues.

“It was like deja vu,” said Banks, who has done extensive work on HIV-1, gp120, and the blood-brain barrier.

The Banks’ lab studies the blood-brain barrier in Alzheimer’s, obesity, diabetes, and HIV. But they put their work on hold and all 15 people in the lab started their experiments on the S1 protein in April.

The study could explain many of the complications from Covid-19.

Raber said in their experiments transport of S1 was faster in the olfactory bulb and kidney of males than females.

This observation might relate to the increased susceptibility of men to more severe Covid-19 outcomes.

(with inputs from IANS)

Published : December 18, 2020 6:41 pm

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