Oct 24, 2023 17:00:00

Research results show that ``Long COVID'', a sequelae of the new coronavirus infection, is related to serotonin depletion

Many patients who develop the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) suffer from the aftereffects of '

long COVID, ' where symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and decline in cognitive function continue for several months or more after infection. It has been reported that. A new research team led by immunologist Andrea Wong from the University of Pennsylvania has announced that people suffering from long COVID may be deficient in serotonin .

Serotonin reduction in post-acute sequelae of viral infection: Cell
https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(23)01034-6

A Crucial Pattern Behind Long COVID May Have Been Identified : ScienceAlert

https://www.sciencealert.com/a-crucial-pattern-behind-long-covid-may-have-been-identified

Long COVID, which is thought to be an aftereffect of COVID-19, causes physical symptoms such as chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, joint pain, and headaches, as well as a foggy feeling in the head called ' brain fog .' It has been reported that there are symptoms such as a feeling like this and a decline in cognitive function and concentration.

Wong and his colleagues collected blood samples from 58 Long COVID patients and analyzed them. It has been discovered that there are many differences between them.

In patients with long-term COVID-19, it has been revealed that the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates dopamine and noradrenaline and stabilizes the mind, and are involved in sleep and body temperature regulation, have decreased. I did. It has also been reported that remnants of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) were detected in the stool of Long COVID patients.

According to the research team, the viral substance associated with Long COVID triggers the patient's immune system to over-produce interferon , a signaling protein that protects against viruses. thing. Excessive release of interferon causes an inflammatory response in the body, which inhibits the absorption of tryptophan , an amino acid used to make serotonin in the intestines.

Prolonged inflammation also inhibits the function of platelets, which are responsible for transporting serotonin throughout the body. As a result, the circulation of serotonin in the body deteriorates, and the function of the vagus nerve , which sends signals between the brain, intestines, and other organs, becomes impaired.

Maayan Levy of the research team said, ``Hypotheses regarding Long COVID, such as ``the virus remaining in the body,'' ``prolonged inflammation,'' and ``vagus nerve dysfunction,'' are based on a single cause: ``decreased serotonin levels.'' This suggests that they may be related.'

Our findings suggest that several of the current hypotheses for the pathophysiology of #LongCOVID (viral reservoir, persistent inflammation, hypercoagulability, vagus nerve dysfunction) might be linked by a single pathway that is connected by serotonin reduction. (8/10) pic.twitter .com/cVjq4OWa2N

— Maayan Levy (@MaayanLevy_Lab) October 16, 2023

The research team also conducted memory tests in mice with intentionally lowered serotonin levels. Not only did the mice's vagus nerve activity become suppressed, but their performance on memory tests also worsened. The researchers then restored the mice's serotonin levels, which alleviated the vagus nerve dysfunction and improved their performance on memory tests.

'We hope that this discovery will lead to the clinical research needed to develop new tools for diagnosing, monitoring, and treating COVID-19,' said Levy.