Reports of neurological complications in COVID-19 patients and in ‘long-distance’ patients whose symptoms persist after the disappearance of infection are increasing, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) may have lasting effects on brain function. . . However, it is not yet fully understood how the virus leads to neurological problems.
“While some studies suggest that SARS-CoV-2 directly infects brain cells, others found no evidence of the virus in the brain,” says Feixiong Cheng, PhD, assistant staff at the Institute of Genomic Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, and lead author of the study. “Identifying the link between COVID-19 and neurological problems is critical in developing effective preventive and therapeutic strategies to address the rise in neurocognitive impairment that we expect to see in the near future.”
In the study, researchers utilized artificial intelligence using existing data from Alzheimerโs and COVID-19 patients. They measured the proximity of SARS-CoV-2 host genes / proteins and those associated with several neurological diseases if closer proximity suggests similar or common disease pathways. The researchers also analyzed the genetic factors that helped SARS-COV-2 infect brain tissues and cells.
Although the researchers found little evidence that the virus targets the brain directly, they found close network relationships between the virus and several neurological diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, genes / proteins, indicating pathways by which COVID-19 could lead to Alzheimer’s disease-like dementia.
To further investigate this, they investigated possible associations between COVID-19 and neuroinflammation and brain microvascular injury, both of which are hallmarks of Alzheimerโs disease.
โWe found that SARS-CoV-2 infection significantly altered the signs of Alzheimerโs disease associated with inflammation in the brain and that certain viral entry factors are strongly expressed in blood-brain barrier cells,โ explained Dr. Cheng. “These findings indicate that the virus may affect several genes or pathways associated with neuroinflammation and brain microvascular injury, which may lead to cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s disease.”
The researchers also found that individuals with the APOE E4 / E4 allele, the greatest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, had impaired expression of antiviral defense genes, which could make these patients more susceptible to COVID-19.
โUltimately, we hope to pave the way for research that will lead to testable and measurable biomarkers that can identify patients at highest risk of causing neurological complications with COVID-19,โ said Dr. Cheng.
Dr. Cheng and his team are now working to identify functional biomarkers and new therapeutic targets for the neurological problems associated with COVID-19 in COVID long-distance transport using state-of-the-art online medicine and artificial intelligence technology.
Source: ANI
Source: The Nordic Page