Neuroscience and Mental Health
Scientific Links Between Covid-19 and Alzheimer’s-Like Brain Impairment
Insights from recent pioneering research on dementia and Covid virus infection
A Broad Context for Dementia
In this short article, I introduce a recent study from the Cleveland Clinic that gives us an informed indication of Alzheimer’s-Like Brain Impairment in Covid-19 patients. The research paper, authored by 11 scientists, was published in BMC, part of Springer Nature’s Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy.
According to WHO (World Health Organization), around 50 million people have dementia, and there are nearly ten million new cases every year. Dementia refers to deterioration in memory, thinking, behavior, and the ability to perform daily activities.
Even though dementia is associated with older adults, many young people suffer from this syndrome. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease covers at least 60% of dementia cases.
Dementia impacts several aspects of our lives, including physical, psychological, social, and economical. It impacts not only patients with dementia but also their families and carers. As we know, Alzheimer’s disease currently affects 6.2 million Americans.
I keep asking myself and reflecting on my posts how we can conquer the causes of Alzheimer’s and other dementia types using new technology opportunities. We need more collaborative research to deal with this debilitating disease.
Whenever I hear about a research study related to cognitive health, I’m all ears. Many human beings are suffering from conditions of cognitive decline. It is inevitable as we age. However, experiencing the decline at younger ages is not desirable. Now, Covid-19 is making this disease worse.
Thanks to noteworthy research by the Cleveland Clinic, we understand that there is a link between Covid and Alzheimer’s Disease. What does this recent pioneering research mean to the public?
I recently posted several articles related to dementia and the neurological effects of the Covid virus. For example, I touched on a few culprits for dementia, introduced the concepts of cognitive reserves, and how took preventative measures considering the previously elevated cortisol as a symptom of my chronic stress. This most recent article introduced ten tips to slow down dementia.
In another article, I introduced a drug named aducanumab branded as Aduhelm by Biogen in the United States. The article provided perspectives covering a broad range of thoughts and sentiments by professionals and the public as reflected in traditional and social media. Media sentiments demonstrate both celebration and apprehension for the approval of this promising drug by the FDA.
Neurological Symptoms for Covid-19 Patients
Like many aspects of life, Covid-19 affects our neurology and mental health as well. Since the emergence of the virus, Covid-19 patients have experienced symptoms of neurological problems.
The press mentioned these problems, including many local and global news outlets. However, there was no single study to point out the underlying mechanism and relationships.
The article’s title is Network medicine links SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 infection to brain microvascular injury and neuroinflammation in dementia-like cognitive impairment.
BMC put the paper in the open-access section of the site so that it can be read free by Internet users.
The paper informs that “dementia-like cognitive impairment is an increasingly reported complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for this complication remain unclear. A better understanding of causative processes by which Covid-19 may lead to cognitive impairment is essential for developing preventive and therapeutic interventions”.
Implications of study
Researchers found significant network-based relationships between Covid-19, neuroinflammation, and brain microvascular injury pathways and processes. These pathways and processors are implicated in Alzheimer’s disease.
From my understanding, the critical hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease are neuroinflammation and microvascular brain injury. The research team detected abnormal expression of Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood of patients with Covid-19.
Even though analyses of research showed relatively low expression of SARS-CoV-2 entry factors in the human brain, neuro-inflammatory changes were noticeable.
They identified the expression of SARS-CoV-2 host factors (such as BSG and FURIN) and antiviral defense genes called LY6E, IFITM2, and IFITM. Furthermore, single-nucleus analyses showed elevated Interferon Alpha And Beta Receptor Subunit 1 (IFNAR1) genes in brain endothelial cells of Alzheimer’s disease patients. You can learn more about these genes from GeneCards human gene database.
Thus, the elevation of IFNAR1 suggests a possible role for microvascular brain injury in Covid-19-mediated cognitive impairment. From genetic observations, patients with Alzheimer’s disease at risk of having APOE E4/E4 displayed reduced antiviral defense gene expression compared to APOE E3/E3 individuals.
What does the research result mean to the public?
This research shows a significant mechanistic overlap between Alzheimer’s disease and COVID-19, centered on neuro-inflammation and microvascular injury. Researchers pointed out that causal relationships and mechanistic pathways between COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s disease need future investigations.
These findings can help scientists improve their understanding of Covid-19-associated neurological manifestations and guide them to develop preventive and treatment intermediations.
Wearing my technology hat, for me, one interesting aspect of the study was the use of artificial intelligence. The study method leveraged artificial intelligence to compare existing datasets between patients with Covid-19and Alzheimer’s.
My understanding and conclusion of this research are that the Covid-19 virus may impact two critical factors in our brains. The first factor is mentioned in the study clearly. The second factor is how it affects pathways involved in neuroinflammation and brain microvascular injury. These genes and pathways could lead to cognitive impairment related to Alzheimer’s disease.
Conclusions
Humanity has already faced a massive challenge concerning this debilitating disease (Alzheimer’s).
Now, we know that the Covid-19 virus is another contributor to the growth of this disease.
The findings of the study indicate that while scientists are working hard to find solutions for Alzheimer’s disease, we also need to be mindful of further implications of Covid-19 on dementia, particularly in our aging population.
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and joyful life.
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Besides metabolic and mental health, as nutrients are crucial, I also document promising molecules such as:
Boron, Urolithin, taurine, citrulline malate, biotin, lithium orotate, alpha-lipoic acid, n-acetyl-cysteine, acetyl-l-carnitine, CoQ10, PQQ, NADH, TMG, creatine, choline, digestive enzymes, magnesium, hydrolyzed collagen, nootropics, pure nicotine, activated charcoal, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B1, Vitamin D, Vitamin K2, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and other nutrients that might help to improve metabolism and mental health.
Disclaimer: Please note that this post does not include health or professional advice. I documented my reviews, observations, experience, and perspectives only to provide information. If you have disease symptoms, please consult your healthcare professionals. Health is the responsibility of individuals.
About the Author
I am a technologist, postdoctoral researcher, author of several books, editor, and digital marketing strategist with four decades of industry experience.
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