According to the researchers, the Sars-Cov-2 virus would infect a certain type of brain cell – the astrocytes – causing gods changes structural al brain system.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, it has been evident how the infection caused by the Covid could involve other target organs besides the lungs. In fact, being in all respects a multisystem syndrome, Covid can involve various organs of the body, leaving behind also important aftermaths that can persist for months after infection, i.e. the effects of Long-Covid.
And precisely among the potential target organs of Covid – during and after the disease – is the brain or more generally the nervous system and according to what seems to be the Brazilian study would confirm what has been hypothesized so far: the infection could cause brain changes And neurocognitive dysfunctions, particularly in the long-standing Covid-19 syndrome. However, the underlying mechanisms are currently still poorly understood.
Thus, while in India a new variant of Omicron, Cenaturus, would be spreading, which experts continue to monitor to see if it can overcome the immunity of current vaccines, the researchers of the Campinas University in Brazil sound the alarm about brain damage caused by Covid infection. Here, then, are the effects that the Covid could have on nervous system and what exactly the study says.
Covid, alarm for brain damage: research
The virus SARS-CoV-2 could damage the brain, or more generally the nervous system. This was the object of investigation of a research conducted at the Campinas University in Brazil by the biologist Daniel Martins-de-Souza and his colleagues.
To reach this conclusion, the researchers wanted to make one magnetic resonance to compare the brain structure in 81 patients recovering from a mild Covid-19 infection who decided to participate in the study and 81 healthy individuals.
By comparing the resonances of the Covid patient group with those of healthy patients, the researchers highlighted in the former the reduction of cortical thickness related to cognitive disturbances and symptoms such as anxiety And depression. Next, the researchers decided to analyze brain tissue samples from 26 patients who died from Covid-19. The analysis showed that five of these individuals also showed brain tissue damage. Data they should be expanded from other research to confirm the thesis of this study.
Finally, further analysis of damaged brain samples revealed that the astrocytes cells important in brain activity, were particularly susceptible to Covid infections: this would also explain like the virus manage to damage the brain system.
Covid, here’s how the virus can damage the brain
From the analyzes conducted, the researchers highlighted that the astrocytes that is, of the brain cells that support the neuronal metabolism and therefore essential, are particularly susceptible to coronavirus infections. Covid would enter these cells through the Nrp1 receptor.
Once infected, the astrocytes would show altered levels of metabolites – the result of the metabolism process – used for power the neurons. Not only. It would have been altered too production of neurotransmitters while the infected cells have secreted neurotoxic molecules.
Precisely this process and the production of neurotoxic substances after Covid infection would demonstrate – again according to the researchers – i structural changes observed in the brain. In any case it must be remembered that a single search is not enough to confirm this thesis. In order to guarantee the veracity of a study it is necessary that other researches – even on larger samples – confirm what has been highlighted in this survey. We must therefore await further research and a definitive response from the rest of the scientific community.