NIH researchers have identified the biological mechanism behind long COVID brain fog, discovering that persistent viral proteins disrupt the blood-brain barrier and cause chronic neuroinflammation.

The Discovery

Using advanced brain imaging, scientists found that spike protein fragments remain lodged in brain capillaries months after infection, creating tiny leaks that allow inflammatory molecules to enter brain tissue.

Treatment Hope

The finding opens the door to targeted treatments. A clinical trial using anti-inflammatory nanoparticles that specifically target the blood-brain barrier begins enrollment next month.