To characterize molecular changes in the central nervous system of women with neuropsychiatric Long COVID (NP-Long COVID) by analyzing gene expression profiles in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), highlighting the significance of these changes for understanding post-viral neurological symptoms.
Key Findings:
Differential gene expression was observed in both CSF and PBMC samples associated with Long COVID status, with specific examples of identified genes.
CSF-specific differentially expressed genes were identified, particularly related to oxidative stress and cellular stress pathways.
Common dysregulated pathways in both CSF and PBMC included androgen response, MTORC1 signaling, and lipid metabolism.
Interpretation:
Women with NP-Long COVID exhibit distinct transcriptional profiles in CSF, highlighting the role of compartment-specific immune responses and cellular stress in post-viral neurological symptoms, with implications for treatment strategies.
Limitations:
The study's sample size is relatively small, limiting the generalizability of findings.
The focus on women may not capture the full spectrum of neuropsychiatric symptoms across genders, and potential biases in self-reporting should be considered.
Conclusion:
The findings emphasize the need for further investigation into CSF-specific molecular profiles to enhance understanding of neuropsychiatric manifestations following COVID-19, underscoring the urgency of this research.
by Benjamin Orlinick, Sameet Mehta, Lindsay McAlpine, Saba Khoshbakht, Sofia Fertuzinhos, Allison Nelson, Jennifer Chiarella, Bibhuprasad Das, Vansh Patel, Paraskevas Filippidis, Michael J Corley, Serena S Spudich, Shelli F Farhadian
