A new study from Yale University has found a link between COVID-19 and an increased buildup of proteins similar to those seen in Alzheimer’s patients, not just in the brain but also in the eyes. The discovery may help explain why some people with COVID-19 experience “brain fog,” a symptom characterized by issues with memory or cognition.
Researchers analyzed postmortem human retinal tissue and grew 3D retina models to investigate how SARS-CoV-2 affects the eyes. They found that the virus can induce amyloid beta accumulation in both the brain and the retina, similar to what is seen in Alzheimer’s patients. The study suggests that targeting a specific protein called NRP1 may be a potential therapeutic approach to combat neurological complications of COVID.
The researchers also found that people with no history of dementia showed elevated amyloid beta buildup if they had a COVID history, often yielding Alzheimer’s-like retinal tissue. This discovery bolsters the idea that amyloid beta plays an important role in the brain’s immune system and may be involved in preventing viral infections.
While more research is needed to investigate this link, the study provides hope for potential treatments and prevention strategies for long-term neurological effects of COVID-19.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/covid-can-cause-alzheimers-like-plaques-in-eyes-and-brain