How COVID-19 affects brain immune cells and nerve connections
The neuroimmune mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 on synaptic transmission and plasticity
This research looks at how the virus that causes COVID-19 changes immune cells in the brain and alters nerve cell signaling, which may help explain long-term brain symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258027 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use a mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection to track when and where viral material appears in the brain and to monitor changes in mouse behavior over time. They will detect viral RNA and viral replication markers inside neurons and observe activation of microglia, the brain's immune cells. The team will record neuronal activity to see if infected mice show neuronal hyperactivity and will study how microglia-neuron interactions change synaptic signaling. Overall, the work links cellular and immune changes in the brain to behavior that resembles long-COVID neurological symptoms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with long COVID who have ongoing cognitive difficulties, anxiety, or other new neurological symptoms after infection would be most relevant to follow or benefit from future therapies informed by this work.
Not a fit: People without prior COVID-19 infection or without neurological symptoms are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to prevent or treat COVID-related brain inflammation and long-COVID cognitive or mood problems.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and human postmortem studies have reported brain inflammation and behavior changes after SARS-CoV-2, but the specific neuroimmune mechanisms linking microglia activation to altered synaptic activity are still largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Memphis, United States
- University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr — Memphis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Du, Jianyang — University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Du, Jianyang
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.