A recent study published in ACS Chemical Neuroscience has shed light on a potential link between common viruses, including Covid and herpes (HSV-1), and the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Researchers have found that these viruses can accumulate protein in the brain, leading to conditions such as dementia.
Tau proteins play a crucial role in maintaining the structure of neurons’ axons, essential for effective message transmission between cells. However, when damaged or detached, tau proteins form toxic neurofibrillary tangles that harm neurons, disrupting communication and leading to cognitive difficulties seen in dementia.
Covid-19 has been shown to damage the brain in various ways, including encephalitis, inflammation of the brain, and triggering new psychological disorders such as severe depression and anxiety. Long-term neurological issues, known as “long Covid,” can also affect memory and concentration.
A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that older adults with Covid-19 had a significantly higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease within a year of their diagnosis. Researchers introduced live HSV-1 and ultraviolet-inactivated SARS-CoV-2 viruses into cerebrospinal fluid, which triggered clumping together of proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
The study suggests that viruses may trigger the buildup of harmful proteins, depleting essential proteins and functions, potentially contributing to neurodegeneration. Understanding this mechanism is crucial for developing treatments that protect tau proteins and neurons from damage caused by viruses.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/are-covid-19-and-herpes-viruses-silently-triggering-alzheimers-and-other-brain-diseases/articleshow/116925340.cms