⋆⁺₊ Alba ࿐ iteotwawki
@albadocherty.bsky.social
Every violation of truth is not only a sort of suicide in the liar, but is a stab at the health of human society. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Severe COVID-19 is associated with molecular signatures of aging in the human brain"
Analysis of postmortem frontal cortex found that severe Covid induced gene expression changes resembling decades of natural brain aging, most pronounced in patients younger than 65.
www.nature.com/articles/s4...
Analysis of postmortem frontal cortex found that severe Covid induced gene expression changes resembling decades of natural brain aging, most pronounced in patients younger than 65.
www.nature.com/articles/s4...
Severe COVID-19 is associated with molecular signatures of aging in the human brain
Nature Aging - Mavrikaki et al. show that severe COVID-19 is associated with molecular signatures of aging and low cognitive performance in the human frontal cortex; and emphasize the value of...
www.nature.com
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"Severe COVID-19 is associated with molecular signatures of aging in the human brain"
Analysis of postmortem frontal cortex found that severe Covid induced gene expression changes resembling decades of natural brain aging, most pronounced in patients younger than 65.
www.nature.com/articles/s4...
Analysis of postmortem frontal cortex found that severe Covid induced gene expression changes resembling decades of natural brain aging, most pronounced in patients younger than 65.
www.nature.com/articles/s4...
"Mounting research shows that COVID-19 leaves its mark on the brain, including significant drops in IQ scores"
Accessible synthesis covers the NEJM cognitive studies, brain aging findings, and population-level implications of a 3-point IQ shift.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/cov...
Accessible synthesis covers the NEJM cognitive studies, brain aging findings, and population-level implications of a 3-point IQ shift.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/cov...
COVID-19 Leaves Its Mark on the Brain. Significant Drops in IQ Scores Are Noted.
Research shows that even mild COVID-19 can lead to the equivalent of seven years of brain aging
www.scientificamerican.com
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"Mounting research shows that COVID-19 leaves its mark on the brain, including significant drops in IQ scores"
Accessible synthesis covers the NEJM cognitive studies, brain aging findings, and population-level implications of a 3-point IQ shift.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/cov...
Accessible synthesis covers the NEJM cognitive studies, brain aging findings, and population-level implications of a 3-point IQ shift.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/cov...
"Cognitive impairment 2 years after mild to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection in a population-based study with matched-comparison groups"
Cognitive impairment persisted at 2 years post-infection across a range of severity.
www.nature.com/articles/s4...
Cognitive impairment persisted at 2 years post-infection across a range of severity.
www.nature.com/articles/s4...
Cognitive impairment 2 years after mild to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection in a population-based study with matched-comparison groups
Scientific Reports - Cognitive impairment 2 years after mild to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection in a population-based study with matched-comparison groups
www.nature.com
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"Cognitive impairment 2 years after mild to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection in a population-based study with matched-comparison groups"
Cognitive impairment persisted at 2 years post-infection across a range of severity.
www.nature.com/articles/s4...
Cognitive impairment persisted at 2 years post-infection across a range of severity.
www.nature.com/articles/s4...
"Neurological and neurodevelopmental effects of Covid and MIS-C on children"
Review of neurological and neurodevelopmental sequelae of acute SARS-CoV-2 and MIS-C in the pediatric population; notes the potential neurovirulence.
www.nature.com/articles/s4...
Review of neurological and neurodevelopmental sequelae of acute SARS-CoV-2 and MIS-C in the pediatric population; notes the potential neurovirulence.
www.nature.com/articles/s4...
Neurological and neurodevelopmental effects of Covid and MIS-C on children
Pediatric Research - Neurological and neurodevelopmental effects of Covid and MIS-C on children
www.nature.com
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"Neurological and neurodevelopmental effects of Covid and MIS-C on children"
Review of neurological and neurodevelopmental sequelae of acute SARS-CoV-2 and MIS-C in the pediatric population; notes the potential neurovirulence.
www.nature.com/articles/s4...
Review of neurological and neurodevelopmental sequelae of acute SARS-CoV-2 and MIS-C in the pediatric population; notes the potential neurovirulence.
www.nature.com/articles/s4...
"Life-Threatening SARS-CoV-2-Associated Encephalopathy and Multiorgan Failure in Children, Asia and Oceania, 2022–2024"
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/article...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/article...
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"Life-Threatening SARS-CoV-2-Associated Encephalopathy and Multiorgan Failure in Children, Asia and Oceania, 2022–2024"
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/article...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/article...
"Neurodevelopmental delay in children exposed to maternal SARS-CoV-2 in-utero"
In-utero Covid-exposed children showed significantly higher rates of developmental delay, particularly in motor domains.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/article...
In-utero Covid-exposed children showed significantly higher rates of developmental delay, particularly in motor domains.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/article...
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"Neurodevelopmental delay in children exposed to maternal SARS-CoV-2 in-utero"
In-utero Covid-exposed children showed significantly higher rates of developmental delay, particularly in motor domains.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/article...
In-utero Covid-exposed children showed significantly higher rates of developmental delay, particularly in motor domains.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/article...
"SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Exacerbates Thromboembolic Cerebrovascular Complications in Humanized ACE2 Mouse Model"
Mouse model: spike protein disrupted the renin-angiotensin system, worsening stroke outcomes and cognitive dysfunction.
link.springer.com/article/10....
Mouse model: spike protein disrupted the renin-angiotensin system, worsening stroke outcomes and cognitive dysfunction.
link.springer.com/article/10....
SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Exacerbates Thromboembolic Cerebrovascular Complications in Humanized ACE2 Mouse Model
Translational Stroke Research - COVID-19 increases the risk for acute ischemic stroke, yet the molecular mechanisms are unclear and remain unresolved medical challenges. We hypothesize that the...
link.springer.com
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Exacerbates Thromboembolic Cerebrovascular Complications in Humanized ACE2 Mouse Model"
Mouse model: spike protein disrupted the renin-angiotensin system, worsening stroke outcomes and cognitive dysfunction.
link.springer.com/article/10....
Mouse model: spike protein disrupted the renin-angiotensin system, worsening stroke outcomes and cognitive dysfunction.
link.springer.com/article/10....
"Risks of Stroke and Transient Cerebral Ischemia up to 4 Years Post-SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Large Diverse Urban Population in the Bronx"
Cohort of ~890,000: ischemic stroke risk was elevated 21–32% for years after infection.
doi.org/10.3390/dia...
Cohort of ~890,000: ischemic stroke risk was elevated 21–32% for years after infection.
doi.org/10.3390/dia...
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"Risks of Stroke and Transient Cerebral Ischemia up to 4 Years Post-SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Large Diverse Urban Population in the Bronx"
Cohort of ~890,000: ischemic stroke risk was elevated 21–32% for years after infection.
doi.org/10.3390/dia...
Cohort of ~890,000: ischemic stroke risk was elevated 21–32% for years after infection.
doi.org/10.3390/dia...
"COVID-19 and selective vulnerability to Parkinson's disease"
Proposes that SARS-CoV-2 could upregulate neuronal alpha-synuclein (an antiviral response), compounding pre-existing dopaminergic vulnerability and seeding widespread neurodegeneration.
www.thelancet.com/journals/la...
Proposes that SARS-CoV-2 could upregulate neuronal alpha-synuclein (an antiviral response), compounding pre-existing dopaminergic vulnerability and seeding widespread neurodegeneration.
www.thelancet.com/journals/la...
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"COVID-19 and selective vulnerability to Parkinson's disease"
Proposes that SARS-CoV-2 could upregulate neuronal alpha-synuclein (an antiviral response), compounding pre-existing dopaminergic vulnerability and seeding widespread neurodegeneration.
www.thelancet.com/journals/la...
Proposes that SARS-CoV-2 could upregulate neuronal alpha-synuclein (an antiviral response), compounding pre-existing dopaminergic vulnerability and seeding widespread neurodegeneration.
www.thelancet.com/journals/la...
"SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Alpha-Synucleinopathies: Potential Links and Underlying Mechanisms"
Proposes Covid as a trigger for Parkinson's and related conditions.
doi.org/10.3390/ijm...
Proposes Covid as a trigger for Parkinson's and related conditions.
doi.org/10.3390/ijm...
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Alpha-Synucleinopathies: Potential Links and Underlying Mechanisms"
Proposes Covid as a trigger for Parkinson's and related conditions.
doi.org/10.3390/ijm...
Proposes Covid as a trigger for Parkinson's and related conditions.
doi.org/10.3390/ijm...
"Neurocognitive Impairment After COVID-19: Mechanisms, Phenotypes, and Links to Alzheimer's Disease"
Covid and Alzheimer's share overlapping molecular and neuroimaging signatures.
www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/1...
Covid and Alzheimer's share overlapping molecular and neuroimaging signatures.
www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/1...
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"Neurocognitive Impairment After COVID-19: Mechanisms, Phenotypes, and Links to Alzheimer's Disease"
Covid and Alzheimer's share overlapping molecular and neuroimaging signatures.
www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/1...
Covid and Alzheimer's share overlapping molecular and neuroimaging signatures.
www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/1...
Pathogen effects on the brain: the case of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and neuro Long COVID
Reports that spike protein persists in meningeal "reservoirs" and stimulates mast cells and microglia to release neurotoxic mediators.
www.frontiersin.org/journals/ne...
Reports that spike protein persists in meningeal "reservoirs" and stimulates mast cells and microglia to release neurotoxic mediators.
www.frontiersin.org/journals/ne...
Frontiers | Pathogen effects on the brain: the case of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and neuro COVID
Many patients develop cognitive and neuropsychiatric issues after viral infections, but the mechanisms are not well understood. A case in point is Long-COVID...
www.frontiersin.org
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
Pathogen effects on the brain: the case of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and neuro Long COVID
Reports that spike protein persists in meningeal "reservoirs" and stimulates mast cells and microglia to release neurotoxic mediators.
www.frontiersin.org/journals/ne...
Reports that spike protein persists in meningeal "reservoirs" and stimulates mast cells and microglia to release neurotoxic mediators.
www.frontiersin.org/journals/ne...
"SARS-CoV-2 drives NLRP3 inflammasome activation in human microglia through spike protein"
Found spike protein activates the NLRP3 inflammasome in human microglia, triggering a neuroinflammatory cascade similar to Parkinson's disease.
parkinsonsnewstoday.com/news/covid-...
Found spike protein activates the NLRP3 inflammasome in human microglia, triggering a neuroinflammatory cascade similar to Parkinson's disease.
parkinsonsnewstoday.com/news/covid-...
Study: COVID-19 Might increase Risk for Parkinson's Disease –...
People who had COVID-19 might have an increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's Disease.
parkinsonsnewstoday.com
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"SARS-CoV-2 drives NLRP3 inflammasome activation in human microglia through spike protein"
Found spike protein activates the NLRP3 inflammasome in human microglia, triggering a neuroinflammatory cascade similar to Parkinson's disease.
parkinsonsnewstoday.com/news/covid-...
Found spike protein activates the NLRP3 inflammasome in human microglia, triggering a neuroinflammatory cascade similar to Parkinson's disease.
parkinsonsnewstoday.com/news/covid-...
"SARS-CoV-2 infection in microglia and its sequelae"
Microglial activation was consistently found even without detectable viral antigen in brain tissue; details systemic inflammation and the "Trojan horse" mechanism.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
Microglial activation was consistently found even without detectable viral antigen in brain tissue; details systemic inflammation and the "Trojan horse" mechanism.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"SARS-CoV-2 infection in microglia and its sequelae"
Microglial activation was consistently found even without detectable viral antigen in brain tissue; details systemic inflammation and the "Trojan horse" mechanism.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
Microglial activation was consistently found even without detectable viral antigen in brain tissue; details systemic inflammation and the "Trojan horse" mechanism.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
"SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Disrupts Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity via RhoA Activation"
Identified RhoA as the key mediator through which the spike protein's S1 subunit disrupts BBB tight junctions under physiological flow conditions.
link.springer.com/article/10....
Identified RhoA as the key mediator through which the spike protein's S1 subunit disrupts BBB tight junctions under physiological flow conditions.
link.springer.com/article/10....
SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Disrupts Blood–Brain Barrier Integrity via RhoA Activation
Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology - The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has been shown to disrupt blood–brain barrier (BBB) function, but its pathogenic mechanism of action is unknown. Whether...
link.springer.com
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Disrupts Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity via RhoA Activation"
Identified RhoA as the key mediator through which the spike protein's S1 subunit disrupts BBB tight junctions under physiological flow conditions.
link.springer.com/article/10....
Identified RhoA as the key mediator through which the spike protein's S1 subunit disrupts BBB tight junctions under physiological flow conditions.
link.springer.com/article/10....
"The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein alters barrier function in 2D static and 3D microfluidic in-vitro models of the human blood-brain barrier"
First study showing spike causes BBB endothelial cells to become "leaky" via proinflammatory activation.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
First study showing spike causes BBB endothelial cells to become "leaky" via proinflammatory activation.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein alters barrier function in 2D static and 3D microfluidic in-vitro models of the human blood-brain barrier"
First study showing spike causes BBB endothelial cells to become "leaky" via proinflammatory activation.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
First study showing spike causes BBB endothelial cells to become "leaky" via proinflammatory activation.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
"SARS-CoV-2 infection as a cause of neurodegeneration"
Evidence that Covid hospitalization confers a cumulative lifetime dementia risk ratio of ~1.48, situating Covid alongside other established modifiable risk factors for neurodegeneration.
www.thelancet.com/journals/la...
Evidence that Covid hospitalization confers a cumulative lifetime dementia risk ratio of ~1.48, situating Covid alongside other established modifiable risk factors for neurodegeneration.
www.thelancet.com/journals/la...
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"SARS-CoV-2 infection as a cause of neurodegeneration"
Evidence that Covid hospitalization confers a cumulative lifetime dementia risk ratio of ~1.48, situating Covid alongside other established modifiable risk factors for neurodegeneration.
www.thelancet.com/journals/la...
Evidence that Covid hospitalization confers a cumulative lifetime dementia risk ratio of ~1.48, situating Covid alongside other established modifiable risk factors for neurodegeneration.
www.thelancet.com/journals/la...
"SARS-CoV-2 infection and dementia risk: a nationwide, nested case-control study"
Study of 1.14M ppl aged 50+: overall 15% increased dementia risk after infection; hospitalized patients showed 75–93% increased risk depending on severity.
alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002...
Study of 1.14M ppl aged 50+: overall 15% increased dementia risk after infection; hospitalized patients showed 75–93% increased risk depending on severity.
alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002...
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"SARS-CoV-2 infection and dementia risk: a nationwide, nested case-control study"
Study of 1.14M ppl aged 50+: overall 15% increased dementia risk after infection; hospitalized patients showed 75–93% increased risk depending on severity.
alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002...
Study of 1.14M ppl aged 50+: overall 15% increased dementia risk after infection; hospitalized patients showed 75–93% increased risk depending on severity.
alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002...
"Prospective Memory Assessment before and after Covid-19"
Norwegian cohort of 134,000+: documented worse everyday memory function at multiple time points up to 36 months post-infection, with greater impairment following more severe illness.
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10...
Norwegian cohort of 134,000+: documented worse everyday memory function at multiple time points up to 36 months post-infection, with greater impairment following more severe illness.
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10...
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"Prospective Memory Assessment before and after Covid-19"
Norwegian cohort of 134,000+: documented worse everyday memory function at multiple time points up to 36 months post-infection, with greater impairment following more severe illness.
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10...
Norwegian cohort of 134,000+: documented worse everyday memory function at multiple time points up to 36 months post-infection, with greater impairment following more severe illness.
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10...
"Cognition and Memory after Covid-19 in a Large Community Sample"
Study of ~113,000 people: even mild, resolved Covid was associated with a 3-point IQ-equivalent cognitive deficit; ICU-level cases showed a 9-point drop, with memory and executive function most affected.
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10...
Study of ~113,000 people: even mild, resolved Covid was associated with a 3-point IQ-equivalent cognitive deficit; ICU-level cases showed a 9-point drop, with memory and executive function most affected.
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10...
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"Cognition and Memory after Covid-19 in a Large Community Sample"
Study of ~113,000 people: even mild, resolved Covid was associated with a 3-point IQ-equivalent cognitive deficit; ICU-level cases showed a 9-point drop, with memory and executive function most affected.
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10...
Study of ~113,000 people: even mild, resolved Covid was associated with a 3-point IQ-equivalent cognitive deficit; ICU-level cases showed a 9-point drop, with memory and executive function most affected.
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10...
"Accelerated brain aging during the COVID-19 pandemic"
996 participants showed brains aged 5.5 months faster during the pandemic; cognitive decline appeared only in those with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.
www.nature.com/articles/s4...
996 participants showed brains aged 5.5 months faster during the pandemic; cognitive decline appeared only in those with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.
www.nature.com/articles/s4...
Accelerated brain ageing during the COVID-19 pandemic
Nature Communications - This study shows that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated brain ageing in UK adults, even without infection. The effect was stronger in older individuals, in men, and those...
www.nature.com
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"Accelerated brain aging during the COVID-19 pandemic"
996 participants showed brains aged 5.5 months faster during the pandemic; cognitive decline appeared only in those with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.
www.nature.com/articles/s4...
996 participants showed brains aged 5.5 months faster during the pandemic; cognitive decline appeared only in those with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.
www.nature.com/articles/s4...
"SARS-CoV-2 reservoir in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC)"
Review of viral reservoir evidence: persistent SARS-CoV-2 RNA and/or protein found in lymph nodes, CNS, and other tissues months post-infection; proposes the reservoir as a driver of Long Covid symptoms.
www.nature.com/articles/s4...
Review of viral reservoir evidence: persistent SARS-CoV-2 RNA and/or protein found in lymph nodes, CNS, and other tissues months post-infection; proposes the reservoir as a driver of Long Covid symptoms.
www.nature.com/articles/s4...
SARS-CoV-2 reservoir in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC)
Nature Immunology - Proal and colleagues review the evidence for long-term persistence of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in tissues of infected individuals and discuss how this viral reservoir may...
www.nature.com
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"SARS-CoV-2 reservoir in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC)"
Review of viral reservoir evidence: persistent SARS-CoV-2 RNA and/or protein found in lymph nodes, CNS, and other tissues months post-infection; proposes the reservoir as a driver of Long Covid symptoms.
www.nature.com/articles/s4...
Review of viral reservoir evidence: persistent SARS-CoV-2 RNA and/or protein found in lymph nodes, CNS, and other tissues months post-infection; proposes the reservoir as a driver of Long Covid symptoms.
www.nature.com/articles/s4...
‘Visionary’ study finds inflammation, evidence of Covid virus years after infection. An explainer of the study in the preceding post.
www.statnews.com/2024/07/03/...
www.statnews.com/2024/07/03/...
‘Visionary’ study finds inflammation, evidence of Covid virus years after infection
A "visionary" new study finds inflammation and evidence of the Covid virus years after initial infection.
www.statnews.com
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
‘Visionary’ study finds inflammation, evidence of Covid virus years after infection. An explainer of the study in the preceding post.
www.statnews.com/2024/07/03/...
www.statnews.com/2024/07/03/...
"Tissue-based T cell activation and viral RNA persist for up to 2 years after SARS-CoV-2 infection"
www.science.org/doi/10.1126...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126...
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"Tissue-based T cell activation and viral RNA persist for up to 2 years after SARS-CoV-2 infection"
www.science.org/doi/10.1126...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126...
Long Covid PET imaging patients vs. 43 controls: found significantly elevated neuroinflammation across a wide swath of brain regions, correlated with circulating vascular dysfunction markers.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
August 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
Long Covid PET imaging patients vs. 43 controls: found significantly elevated neuroinflammation across a wide swath of brain regions, correlated with circulating vascular dysfunction markers.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...