The virus persists in the brain, according to a study on hamsters – liberation

The covid Long always keeps part of its mystery. For example, Research work is underway in the world to understand the causes of this post-Cavid syndrome which affected 4 % of the French adult population at the end of 2022. Moreover, according to Public Health France. Moreover, This syndrome is manifested by deep fatigue, neurological disorders, breathing difficulties, headache …

A study by the Pasteur Institute. Therefore, published in the journal Nature communications July 22, tends to show that the COVVI-19 virus “Persists in the long term in the brainstem and distinguishes the activity of neurons”summarize the researchers in a statement released on Tuesday July 29.

These studied the effects of COVVI-19 infection “At the level of the central nervous system” the hamsters. “Up to 80 days after the virus persists brain, according study acute phase of infection”. They observed that the “Genes linked to metabolism. the activity of neurons are deregulated in the brain of these animals, in a similar way to what is happening in neurodegenerative diseases” like Parkinson’s disease with a “Deregulation of the dopamine route”.

The virus thus seems “Have an impact on the production of dopamine”involved in “The regulation of emotions. memory”explains one of the researchers, Anthony Coleon, in the press release. Analyzes have shown that despite a low viral burden. the virus could continue to infect new cells, seeming to indicate that he could persist “Low noise” in the brainstem.

According to Guilherme Dias of Melo Mélo author of the study. this “Highlights for the first time, in the animal model, the long -term biological consequences” from COVID-19. After identifying “A list of long -term deregulated genes” By the virus. virus persists brain, according study the researchers will continue their work “In order to understand how the infection induces the loss of function of dopamine neurons”he says.

Researchers have already found “Signs of the persistence of the virus” of COVID-19 in the body. “Determination of the immune response and an autoimmune response”recalls the World Health Organization (WHO), according to which the pandemic killed 20 million people around the world.