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 findings show microglial dysfunction, astrocyte activation, and neurovascular inflammation, driven by systemic immune signaling (IL-1, IL-6), even without direct viral invasion.
• Evidence of blood–brain barrier disruption and gliovascular pathology, supporting ongoing brain inflammation.
• Findings suggest self-sustaining inflammatory loops between the immune system and the brain, contributing to persistent symptoms.
• Clinical observations show improvement with H1/H2 antihistamines, supporting a role for mast cell activation in symptom persistence.
• Overall, the research points toward immune dysregulation, rather than viral persistence, as a key driver in a subset of Long COVID cases.

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.

Tang AW, Swedo SE, Pasternack M, Murphy T, et al. Eight cases of pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome: clinical characteristics. Developmental Neuroscience. 2025;47(4):287–302. doi:10.1159/000543969

Please read more in depth blog – When PANS and IBD Co-Occur: What This Case Series Suggests

• Identifies a subgroup of children with PANS characterized by the triad of PANS symptoms, joint complaints, and family history of autoimmunity (including psoriasis).

• Suggests this subgroup may be at increased risk for inflammatory bowel disease and other immune-mediated disorders.

• Recommends a low threshold for evaluation of gastrointestinal inflammation using biomarkers such as hemoglobin, CRP, fecal calprotectin, and endoscopy when indicated.

• Reports that PANS symptoms may improve with effective treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

• Notes high prevalence of joint complaints and autoimmune family history, suggesting shared immune mechanisms with psoriasis and arthritis.

• Proposes that treatments used in inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis warrant study for potential application in PANS.