Alzheimer's proteing detected in long Covid patients
21 days ago
- Post-COVID neurocognitive patients showed a 59% increase in plasma pTau-181, a biomarker linked to Alzheimer's and neurodegeneration.
- Tau elevations were most pronounced in individuals with neurocognitive symptoms lasting over 1.5 years, suggesting prolonged Long COVID may worsen neurological injury.
- Researchers emphasize the need for further studies, including neuroimaging and broader population samples, to confirm whether elevated blood tau indicates progressive brain pathology.
- The study analyzed 227 WTC responders with neurological post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, compared to controls, who showed no tau increase.
- Findings imply COVID-19 virus may contribute to abnormal tau production over time, raising concerns about long-term neurodegenerative risk.