COVID-19 may increase risk of Parkinson’s disease

Scientists have been working hard to study the impact of COVID-19 disease on the brains of patients. This is because even after recovering, people continue to experience symptoms such as brain fog, headaches, and insomnia. The study shows that in people who have recovered from COVID-19, including those with milder symptoms, their brains may suffer some long-term effects.

To come to this conclusion, the scientists conducted research on mice that had been genetically engineered to carry the human ACE-2 receptor. These mice were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and recovered. A week after they recovered, they were divided into 2 groups, in which 1 group was injected with MPTP (a toxin that causes disease). Parkinson’s) dose is low enough to not cause neuronal loss. The control group was injected with physiological saline. Two weeks later, the brains of two groups of mice were examined. The researchers found that having COVID-19 alone did not affect dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia. However, the mice that received a low dose of MPTP after recovery experienced a similarity to the classic neuronal loss in Parkinson’s disease. This increase in sensitivity after contracting COVID-19 is similar to that observed in an earlier study of influenza.

Talking to the press, Professor Richard Smeyne at Thomas Jefferson University, USA, said Parkinson’s is a rare disease, affecting 2% of the population over 55 years old, so the risk of this disease increases. not necessarily cause panic. However, understanding how the SARS-CoV-2 virus affects the brain could help prepare people for the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to him, the SARS-CoV-2 virus itself does not “kill” nerve cells, but increases the risk of increased susceptibility to threats when exposed to toxins or bacteria or can even be infected. potential genetic mutations.

The above research is still being carried out by scientists. Recently, a study published in the journal eClinicalMedicine found that having severe COVID-19 can cause cognitive decline, making brain function can be affected similar to aging 20 years more. This equates to a loss of about 10 IQ points.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disease that usually occurs when a group of cells in the brain degenerate, unable to control muscle movement, making it difficult for people to walk, slow movements, and slow limbs. stiff tremors. As the disease progresses, it can affect nerve cells, causing a lack of dopamine. Currently, there is still no method to completely cure patients with Parkinson’s disease, but only measures to improve quality of life, delay the progression of the disease.

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