Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Oct 11, 2025 4 weeks, 1 day, 14 hours, 18 minutes ago
Medical News: Unraveling the Psychiatric Mystery of Long COVID
Researchers from Kyung Hee University School of Medicine and Seoul National University College of Medicine in South Korea have discovered a distinct molecular signature that may explain why some people continue to suffer mental health problems long after recovering from COVID-19. Using a pioneering blood-based proteomic technique, the team found unique protein patterns in individuals showing anxiety, depression, and cognitive disturbances months after infection. This
Medical News report highlights how these findings could transform the understanding and treatment of post-COVID psychiatric complications.
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Hidden Molecular Clues Behind Long COVID Mental Health Issues
A Simple Blood Test Reveals Complex Brain Effects
The study involved 51 COVID-19 survivors categorized into three groups—those with new psychiatric disorders, those with lingering symptoms but no psychiatric conditions, and those fully recovered. By analyzing dried blood spot samples using advanced mass spectrometry, the researchers identified over 1,600 proteins and narrowed them down to several that showed clear differences among the groups. These proteins were linked to inflammation, energy metabolism, and brain function, painting a detailed picture of how the virus might disrupt brain chemistry long after recovery.
Proteins That Tell a Story of Brain Inflammation and Stress
Among the key proteins found were fibronectin, sorbitol dehydrogenase, and apolipoprotein A-II. Changes in these proteins indicate problems in glucose and fat metabolism, as well as inflammation in the nervous system. Other proteins such as filamin A and VTA1 were also identified as potential markers separating patients with psychiatric symptoms from those without. Filamin A, a protein involved in cell structure and movement, has previously been connected to chronic fatigue syndrome—a condition that shares striking similarities with long COVID.
How COVID-19 May Rewire the Brain
Another major finding was the role of alpha-synuclein, a protein associated with Parkinson’s disease. Elevated levels of alpha-synuclein in long COVID patients suggest that SARS-CoV-2 may trigger changes similar to neurodegenerative processes. This discovery supports growing evidence that the virus can leave behind molecular “footprints” that disrupt normal brain signaling, leading to persistent mental health symptoms.
A Step Toward Personalized Diagnosis and Treatment
This research not only deepens the understanding of long COVID’s psychiatric impact but also offers hope for future diagnostic tools. The use of dried blood spots is cost-effective, noninvasive, and ideal for large-scale monitoring. By tracking specific protein signatures, doctors may soon be able to predict who is at higher risk of developing mental health issues after infection and tailor treatments accordingly. It also sets the stage for future drug development targeting these specific molecular
pathways.
Conclusion
This groundbreaking study provides compelling biological evidence that long COVID-related psychiatric symptoms are not just psychological but have measurable molecular roots. By identifying key proteins that reflect ongoing brain inflammation and metabolic disruption, scientists can now explore targeted therapies that may prevent or reverse these effects. As more research unfolds, these discoveries could lead to more precise and personalized care for millions affected by long COVID worldwide.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Translational Psychiatry.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-025-03590-2
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/electroacupuncture-trial-brings-new-hope-for-long-covid-brain-and-mood-problems
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/how-brain-inflammation-triggers-memory-loss-through-dna-damage
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/scientists-from-maryland-discover-that-sars-cov-2-orf3a-protein-causes-brain-cell-death
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