COVID-19-associated blood plasma inflammatory components don’t have an effect on blood-brain barrier, examine exhibits

It’s now nicely documented that the coronavirus outbreak triggered a worldwide well being disaster. On this examine, researchers needed to know whether or not blood-brain barrier impairment contributed to the event of neurological issues throughout COVID-19 development, and to what extent. The blood-brain barrier is a filtering mechanism of the capillaries that carry blood to the mind and spinal twine tissue whereas blocking the passage of sure poisonous substances. The findings exhibit that “COVID-19-associated blood plasma inflammatory components don’t have an effect on blood-brain barrier paracellular pathway instantly,” the researchers wrote. As well as, the outcomes recommend “pathological reworking, if any, of the blood-brain barrier throughout COVID-19 could happen by way of oblique or but unknown mechanisms.” The examine is printed within the journal Perform.

“Accumulating proof signifies that cerebral vascular dysfunction is a typical function of COVID-19,” the analysis group wrote. “Due to this fact, it is very important perceive the intricate connections between blood cytokine/chemokine profiles, blood-brain barrier integrity and the severity of neurological manifestations of COVID-19.”