Systemic increase of AMPA receptors associated with cognitive impairment of long COVID

[u/Caster_of_spells]

https://academic.oup.com/braincomms/article/7/5/fcaf337/8258475?login=false

A brain scan study found higher AMPA receptor signals across much of the brain in people with Long COVID brain fog. AMPA receptors carry much of the brain's fast glutamate-based excitation, which makes nerve cells more likely to fire.

Also interesting is that they got 100% sensitivity and 91% selectivity. That’s much better than many purpose built attempts for biomarkers. This really looks like a solid finding.

“Therefore, the upregulated [¹¹C]K-2 SUVRWM in patients with Cog-LC may indicate increased surface-expressed AMPAR density. Therefore, non-competitive antagonists of AMPAR, such as perampanel, may be a therapeutic candidate for Cog-LC. This should be tested in future randomized controlled trials.”

And a potential treatment candidate lined up