COVID Accelerates ‘Zombie’ Cells in Brain, Study Says

Zombie cells cause tissue inflammation and degeneration, increasing the risk of brain fog and memory loss, the study’s lead researcher said.

According to a new study from the University of Queensland, COVID-19 is hastening the accumulation of senescent or “zombie” cells in the brain, which accumulate naturally and gradually in the brain with age.
To investigate this effect, the researchers used brain organoids, which are mini brains grown artificially from human stem cells.

They discovered that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, infects the brain and causes cellular senescence, or premature brain aging.

“Senescent cells are known to drive tissue inflammation and degeneration, leaving patients exposed to cognitive impairments like brain fog and memory loss,” said Julio Aguado, the lead researcher on the study

Brain fog is defined as a loss of concentration or memory, difficulty thinking, and drowsiness.

Brain Cell Fusion

A study published earlier this year in Science Advances discovered that SARS-CoV-2 caused brain cell fusion, which can result in chronic nervous system symptoms.
“We discovered COVID-19 causes neurons to undergo a cell fusion process, and once neurons fuse, they don’t die,” said Massimo Hilliard, a professor of molecular and cellular neurobiology at the University of Queensland.

“They either start firing synchronously, or they stop functioning altogether.”

According to the researchers, this novel mechanism could explain the neuropsychiatric syndromes associated with early-stage COVID-19, as well as the persistence of symptoms in long Covid.

‘Vaccine Fog’

People who have never had COVID-19 but have received COVID-19 vaccine doses have also reported brain fog, headaches, and memory problems.
Dr. Yuhong Dong, an infectious disease and antiviral drug development expert, explained that because SARS-CoV-2 can cause various types of brain damage, the vaccines, which contain synthetic mRNA based on the virus’s genetic sequence, may have similar effects.

She emphasized the human body’s ability to heal itself, recommending that the three best ways to repair brain injuries, whether from vaccines or COVID-19, are to limit sugary foods, prioritize high-quality sleep, and maintain a positive attitude.

“The human body is a sophisticated, complex, and self-maintaining and repairing system created by God,” she went on to say.

“It has its own set of operating rules and can defend itself against foreign viruses.” It has the ability to self-recover when disease is induced.”

Therapies to Target ‘Zombie’ Cells

Furthermore, Mr. Aguado’s research team has developed new therapies that specifically target senescent cells.
They discovered four drugs that can kill these zombie cells: navitoclax, ABT-737, fisetin, and a combination of dasatinib and quercetin (D+Q).

According to Mr. Aguado, the drugs rejuvenated the brain and reduced the likelihood of neurodegenerative symptoms in organoids as well as a mouse model infected with COVID-19.

“Long term, we can expect widespread use of these drugs to treat persistent post-acute infection syndromes caused by viral infections like COVID-19,” he went on to say.

However, more research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms, according to Mr. Aguado.

“More research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms at play, but this study marks a significant step forward in our knowledge of the intricate relationship between viral infections, aging, and neurological well-being,” he added.

Professor Ernst Wolvetang, an organoid expert, believes that stem-cell-derived brains could be used to treat post-acute infection syndromes and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease.

“This same method of drug screening could also help Alzheimer’s research and a whole host of neurodegenerative diseases where senescence is a driver,” said Mr. Wolvetang.