Long Covid Land Toolbox
Risk of new-onset dementia following COVID-19 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis
March 03, 2025
Emerging evidence suggests coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection may increase the risk of developing dementia, although studies have reported conflicting findings. This meta-analysis aimed to synthesise the literature on the association between COVID-19 and the risk of new-onset dementia.
Long COVID Breakthrough:
Spike Proteins Persist in Brain for Years
Spike Protein Accumulates in the Brain
A novel AI-powered imaging technique developed by Prof. Ali Ertürk’s team provides new insights into how the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein affects the brain. The method renders organs and tissue samples transparent, enabling the three-dimensional visualization of cellular structures, metabolites, and, in this case, viral proteins. Using this technology, the researchers uncovered previously undetectable distributions of spike protein in tissue samples from COVID-19 patients and mice.
The study, published in the journal Cell Host & Microbe, revealed significantly elevated concentrations of spike protein in the skull’s bone marrow and meninges, even years after infection. The spike protein binds to so-called ACE2 receptors, which are particularly abundant in these regions.
Neuroimmune pathophysiology of long COVID
Although COVID-19 was originally considered a respiratory illness, it is now well established that SARS-CoV-2 infection can have far-reaching impacts on the nervous system. Neurological symptoms such as chemosensory dysfunction are frequently observed during acute infection and approximately 10% of COVID-19 cases will go on to develop new or persistent long-term symptoms, a condition known in the literature as post-acute symptoms of COVID-19 (PASC) or by the patient-coined term Long COVID. Common neurological symptoms in Long COVID include new onset cognitive difficulties, dysautonomia, fatigue, and peripheral neuropathy. The emergence of Long COVID has prompted renewed interest in the study of post-acute infection syndromes (PAIS), particularly in the area of neuroimmune interactions. In this review we provide a comprehensive overview of the current body of literature on neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection and Long COVID, with an emphasis on neuroimmune mechanisms drawn largely from autopsy studies and animal models. A more complete understanding of neuroimmune crosstalk in Long COVID will not only guide the development of therapies for this highly disabling condition but will also contribute to our general understanding of neuroimmune interactions in health and disease.
COVID-19 and the Auditory System – Five Years Later
Jun 23, 2025 | Auditory Processing Disorders, Tinnitus
A look at what we now know about how COVID-19 has been found to affect the auditory system, based on a review of the literature.
By Robert M. DiSogra, AuD
It has been five years since the COVID-19 pandemic started in the United States. Each of us has dealt with the impact of COVID-19 personally and professionally. In 2019, there were many unknowns about the virus’s effect on the many parts of the auditory system: hearing, tinnitus, balance, auditory processing, and cognition. Although it was tempting to make early declarations regarding the impact of COVID-19 on these areas, the aggregated peer-reviewed literature points to a more realistic picture.
This manuscript will summarize what we, as a profession, have learned about COVID-19 and its impact on the auditory system: hearing, balance, auditory processing, and cognition. Details can be found in the referenced literature.
Characterizing Long COVID Symptoms During Early Childhood
May 27, 2025
Question Which prolonged symptoms in early childhood are associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection?
Findings In the Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER)–Pediatrics cohort study including 472 infants/toddlers and 539 preschool-aged children, prolonged symptoms were identified that were more common in young children with infection history than those without. Infants/toddlers (0-2 years) with infection history were more likely to experience trouble sleeping, fussiness, poor appetite, stuffy nose, and cough, and preschool-aged children (3-5 years) were more likely to experience dry cough and daytime tiredness/sleepiness or low energy; empirically derived indices for long COVID research were developed from these symptoms.
Meaning Results of this cohort study suggest that symptom patterns were distinguishable across infants/toddlers and preschool-aged children, and from previously studied older children and adults.
Safety and Efficacy of Pemivibart, a Long-Acting Monoclonal Antibody, for Prevention of Symptomatic COVID-19: Interim Results From a Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial (CANOPY)
In September-November 2023, 306 participants received pemivibart (cohort A); 317 received pemivibart and 162 placebo (cohort B). The most common study drug-related adverse events were infusion-related reactions (cohort A: 11/306 [3.6%]; cohort B: 7/317 [2.2%, pemivibart] and 0/162 [placebo]). Four of 623 (0.6%) participants who received pemivibart experienced anaphylactic reactions (2 serious). In cohort A, the composite COVID-19 incidence through month 6 was 11/298 (3.7%; 2 deaths). In cohort B, 6/317 (1.9%; no deaths) and 19/160 (11.9%; no deaths) pemivibart and placebo participants, respectively, met the endpoint through month 6 (84.1% standardized relative risk reduction [RRR; 95% CI, 60.9-93.5; nominal P<.0001]), and 15/317 (4.7%; 1 death) and 29/160 (18.1%; no deaths) pemivibart and placebo participants, respectively, met the endpoint through month 12 (73.9% standardized RRR [95% CI, 52.8-85.6; nominal P<.0001]). Twelve month protection was conferred with no additional dosing.
Your Path Starts Here
What is Help for Long COVID?
Millions of people around the world are still struggling with the lingering effects of COVID-19. Unfortunately, most Care Providers do not understand or know how to diagnose or treat Long COVID patients. Help for Long COVID empowers Long COVID patients to find the help they need, discovering care providers who can treat them, and allowing patients to share their experiences and learn from the experiences of others. There is no cure for Long COVID, but help is available.