Posts by:
Gabriella True

Fekete, R., Simats, A., Bíró, E., Pósfai, B., Cserép, C., Schwarcz, A., Szabadits, E., Környei, Z., Tóth, K., Fichó, E., Szalma, J., Vida, S., Kellermayer, A., Dávid, C., Acsády, L., Kontra, L., Silvestre-Roig, C., Moldvay, J., … Dénes, Á. (2025). Microglia dysfunction, neurovascular inflammation and focal neuropathologies are linked to IL-1- and IL-6-related systemic inflammation in COVID-19. Nature Neuroscience, 28(3), 558–576. DOI: 10.1038/s41593-025-01871-z

• Neuropathological study examining brains of individuals with COVID-19.

• Identifies microglial dysfunction, astrocyte involvement, and neurovascular inflammation linked to systemic IL-1 and IL-6 signaling.

• Demonstrates blood–brain barrier disruption and gliovascular pathology even in the absence of direct viral invasion of brain tissue.

• Provides strong evidence for self-sustaining inflammatory loops between peripheral immune signals and CNS cells.

Fekete R, Simats A, Bíró E, et al. Microglia dysfunction, neurovascular inflammation and focal neuropathologies are linked to IL-1- and IL-6-related systemic inflammation in COVID-19. Nat Neurosci. 2025;28(3):558-576. doi:10.1038/s41593-025-01871-z.

Impaired microglia function and vascular inflammation in COVID

• Observational study evaluating Long COVID patients treated with H1/H2 antihistamines.

• Reports improvement in fatigue, cognitive symptoms, tachycardia, and other systemic complaints.

• Supports the hypothesis that mast cell activation contributes to Long COVID symptom persistence.

• Suggests immune dysregulation—rather than viral persistence—may drive ongoing symptoms in a subset of patients.

Wu, X., Hao, J., Jiang, K. et al. Neuroinflammation and pathways that contribute to tourette syndrome. Ital J Pediatr 51, 63 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-025-01874-3

Read a deeper dive: Neuroinflammation and Immune Pathways in Tourette Syndrome

• Tourette Syndrome (TS): A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics, often co-occurring with ADHD, OCD, and other psychological issues.
• Neurotransmitter Imbalances: TS is traditionally linked to neurotransmitter disruptions, especially within the cortex-striatum-thalamus-cortex circuit, involving dopamine and glutamate.
• Neuroinflammation: Emerging research shows neuroinflammation, often triggered by infections or allergies, contributes to neurotransmitter imbalances that may induce tics.
• Infectious Triggers: Streptococcal infections (e.g., PANDAS), viral infections (e.g., enterovirus, COVID-19), and other pathogens (e.g., Chlamydia, Mycoplasma) are linked to TS exacerbation.
• Immune Mechanisms: Inflammatory responses activate microglia and the peripheral immune system, disrupting neurotransmitter balance and leading to tics.