In these two systematic reviews, the authors examined the existing literature on chorea associated with COVID-19 infection or vaccination.
Category
Long COVID/Post-vaccination syndrome & Nervous system
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SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro triggered the inflammation and senescence pathways in A9 dopaminergic neurons (mostly affected by Parkinson’s disease in the substantia nigra) derived from human pluripotent stem cells. Increased risk of viral-induced parkinsonism?
This study demonstrated selective in vitro vulnerability of A9 DA neurons derived from human pluripotent stem cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the associated inflammatory and cellular senescence response.
“Neurotoxin-like region” of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein modulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (with a high preference for the α7 subtype linked with aggression, anxiety, and depression)
Neurotoxin-like region of the SARS-CoV-2 interact with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The α7 nAChR is a target for the SARS-CoV-2.
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Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome after mRNA COVID vaccination (autopsy report)
Case report of patient who died of radiographically and pathologically confirmed reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) one day after the third mRNA COVID (BNT162b2) vaccination.
Prion-like domains in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
Different beta-coronaviruses (β-CoVs) contain prion-like domains in the S proteins. However, SARS-CoV-2 is the only β-CoV with prion-like domains identified within the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the S protein.
Multifocal necrotizing encephalitis, mild myocarditis, and endothelitis after COVID-19 vaccination (autopsy report)
This autopsy report described a case of multifocal necrotizing encephalitis, mild myocarditis, and pathological changes in small blood vessels (endothelitis) that developed after a third COVID-19 vaccination.
The role of hypothalamic circuits and the median eminence, not completely protected by the blood-brain barrier, in brain infection with SARS-CoV-2
Some CNS structures, like the choroid plexus and the circumventricular organs including the hypothalamus, are not completely protected by the BBB and can serve as virus entry points.
Hypotestosteronemia in COVID-19 or post COVID syndrome could be of hypothalamic origin
A persistent hypotestosteronemia in certain patients with COVID-19 or long COVID syndrome could be of hypothalamic origin due to impaired GnRH function, or hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
![Correlation between increased [11C]PBR28 PET/MR binding across a wide range of brain regions, as an indicator of neuroinflammation, and parameters of vascular health could partially reflect variations in vascular anatomy and perivascular immune infiltration in post-acute COVID-19](https://discovermednews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/brain-PET-signal-400x250.webp)
Correlation between increased [11C]PBR28 PET/MR binding across a wide range of brain regions, as an indicator of neuroinflammation, and parameters of vascular health could partially reflect variations in vascular anatomy and perivascular immune infiltration in post-acute COVID-19
The results provide indirect evidence that differences in PET signal across brain regions, as an indicator of neuroinflammation, could partially reflect variations in vascular health and perivascular immune infiltration in individuals with PASC.
A new-onset small fiber neuropathy in individuals with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome
A case series of a new onset small fiber neuropathy with symptoms of dysautonomia and neuropathy, that developed after COVID-19.
Individuals with long COVID syndrome have reduced corneal innervation and increased density of corneal dendritic cells more than 20 months after acute COVID-19
These results show a decrease in corneal nerve density and branch density, as well as an increase in dendritic cell density in patients with long COVID in comparison to the control group.
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its receptor-binding domain stimulate human microglia through different receptors to secrete various proinflammatory mediators
Recombinant full-length S protein and its RBD stimulate human microglia via activation of different receptors. These findings confirmed that the SARS-CoV-2 S protein contributes to neuroinflammation via several mechanisms involved in CNS pathologies.
SARS-CoV-2-positive patients hospitalized for psychosis spectrum disorders were found to have increased circulating levels of Human endogenous retrovirus type W (HERV-W) envelope (ENV) proteins and proinflammatory cytokines
This study demonstrated increased expression of HERV-W ENV proteins and proinflammatory cytokines only in hospitalized patients with psychosis spectrum disorders who were positive for SARS-CoV-2. The finding of HERV-W ENVs only in seropositive patients suggests a strong link between HERV-W activation, cytokine expression, and SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Case series of hemorrhagic myelitis with poor clinical recovery after the SARS-CoV-2 infection
An uncommon disease, hemorrhagic myelitis was presented in three cases following SARS-CoV-2 infection, with minimal or no improvement during follow-up.
Systemic reaction with predominant neurological and skin manifestations following the third dose of the mRNA-1273 COVID vaccine (case report)
A case of a systemic reaction, characterized by predominant neurological (electroencephalography and MRI findings) and skin manifestations (tinea inguinalis and tinea capitis) that occurred following the third dose of the mRNA-1273 vaccine,
