Among the underlying causes of Long Covid is decreased serotonin levels after infection. According to an international group of researchers, the inflammation resulting from the virus would prompt the immune system to produce interferon, which in turn reduces the body’s ability to absorb tryptophan, a component of many neurotransmitters including serotonin. Its absence would contribute to memory deficits and other cognitive conditions.
muddleDifficulty concentrating e memory, Tired, Change in taste and smellDigestive problems, headache. In one word: long Covid.
These symptoms summarize the symptomatic picture that has continued to persist, at least 65 million people In the world once negative before SARS-CoV-2 You knew that.
Of those of his the reasonsHowever, until yesterday not much was known. However, today we have another piece of the puzzle thanks to a new study conducted by researchersUniversity of Pennsylvania Published in the magazine cell.
The hypothesis of American researchers is that a great responsibility lies behind Long Covid Low levels Post-infection with serotonin.
You may have also heard it referred to asGood mood hormone: that it Neurotransmitter produced by The central nervous system And by some cells Digestive Starting with tryptophan, an essential amino acid that cannot be produced by the body but is found in many elements foods.
Serotonin plays an important role in the human body Mood regulation Born in Sleep-wake cycle And also in Appetite control But it can also contribute to Regulating blood pressuretoPlatelet aggregation And for Arterial constrictionFor the smooth muscles of the bronchi and bladder.
he have ‘Great importanceIn short, and for this reason it has become the focus of attention of American researchers determined to uncover the secrets of the so-called long Covid.
Sample analysis blood And I did Based on various clinical studies and in small animal models, scientists observed that in patients with Long Covid, traces of the virus remained for up to months. After acute infection. This indicates that the components of the virus remained hidden in the virus for a long time.Intestine.
Then, they saw that these viral effects eventually led to thyroid stimulation immune system To secrete proteins that fight the virus, called… Interferonwho in turn is responsible for Aignition Which reduces the body’s ability to absorb tryptophan, which is a component of various neurotransmitters including serotonin.
When tryptophan uptake is reduced or impaired by persistent viral inflammation, serotonin Running out And aViolation of vagus nerve signalsWhich in turn can cause many of the symptoms associated with Long Covid, including: memory loss.
By testing the reverse pathway in animal models, the researchers demonstrated this Restoring normal serotonin values With specific treatments this can be reversed Memory deterioration.
So the studio doesn’t just provide Concrete hopes For new forms of protection Against Long Covid but it paves the way towards increasingly effective treatments.
Source | “Serotonin Reduction in Sequelae of Acute Viral Postinfection” Published October 16, 2023 in the Journal cell
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