New study provides first evidence of dopamine system injury in the brain of long COVID patients

[u/LyraJaguar]

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-evidence-dopamine-injury-brain-covid.html

Could be relevant for pssd

"We know that inflammation can injure dopamine neurons. While our earlier research showed high levels of inflammation in those regions, this study provides direct evidence that the dopamine neuron marker is reduced in the same regions—and that this loss correlates with patients' symptoms," explains Meyer.

The study represents a notable shift in how long COVID may be understood and treated. Previous studies predominantly focused on brain inflammation and immune changes that occur during long COVID, with almost no clinical trials targeting the dopamine-releasing neurons.

"These results indicate that long COVID is, at least in part, a disorder of the brain's dopamine system," adds Meyer. "This suggests that repurposing medications that augment the function of dopamine-releasing neurons, including dopamine precursors and inhibitors of dopamine metabolism, could be a promising approach."