Long COVID: SARS-CoV-2 persists in the brainstem in the long term and deregulates neuronal activity

Long COVID: SARS-CoV-2 persists in the brainstem in the long term and deregulates neuronal activity

Publication date: Jul 30, 2025

Genes associated with neuronal metabolism and activity are deregulated in the brains of these animals, echoing similar processes observed in neurodegenerative diseases. Our study has enabled us to identify a list of genes that are deregulated in the long term by SARS-CoV-2 infection. It therefore appears that the virus is able to persist at low levels in the brainstem. The scientists subsequently investigated the impact of this viral RNA on brain metabolism. Further analysis revealed viral replication activity in tissues, suggesting that the virus can continue to infect new cells even though the viral load is low. An assessment of these symptoms moreover revealed that these behavioral symptoms differed according to the animals’ sex. “Our study is the first to reveal the long-term biological impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in animal models. Symptoms can persist in some SARS-CoV-2 patients several months after infection.

Concepts Keywords
2025anthony Activity
Headaches Brainstem
July Cit
Lyssavirus Cov
Scientists Covid
Epidemiology
Infection
Institut
Long
Paris
Pasteur
Sars
Symptoms
Universit
Virus

Semantics

Type Source Name
pathway REACTOME SARS-CoV-2 Infection
disease MESH shortness of breath
disease MESH tachycardia
disease MESH brain fog
disease MESH complications
disease MESH syndrome
disease MESH COVID-19 pandemic
pathway REACTOME Neurodegenerative Diseases
disease MESH neurodegenerative diseases
pathway REACTOME Metabolism
disease MESH anxiety
disease MESH depression
disease IDO acute infection
disease MESH infection
disease MESH Long COVID
disease IDO facility
drug DRUGBANK Huperzine B
disease MESH Infectious Diseases
drug DRUGBANK L-Citrulline
drug DRUGBANK Dopamine
disease IDO production
pathway KEGG Viral replication
disease MESH viral load

Original Article

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