Study Alarmingly Finds That COVID-19 Nucleocapsid Protein Damages Brain Memory Centers Even After Infection Has Resolved!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 12, 2025 1 hour, 18 minutes ago
Medical News: Researchers in China have uncovered alarming evidence that a key protein from the SARS-CoV-2 virus may directly damage the brain and trigger long-term memory and thinking problems, even after the infection itself has passed.
New research reveals how a COVID-19 viral protein can age brain immune cells and trigger long-term memory problems
Understanding the Hidden Cause of Brain Fog
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, millions of people worldwide have complained of lingering symptoms such as brain fog, poor concentration, memory lapses, and slowed thinking. While inflammation was often blamed, scientists have struggled to explain exactly how the virus causes these lasting brain problems. This new research sheds light on a previously overlooked mechanism involving the virus’s nucleocapsid protein, commonly known as the N protein.
Who Conducted the Research
The study was conducted by scientists from Central South University in Changsha, China. The research teams were based at Xiangya Hospital, the Xiangya School of Basic Medical Science, the National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disorders, and the Hunan University of Medicine. Their work combined animal experiments and laboratory cell studies to uncover how the virus affects the brain.
What the Scientists Discovered
The researchers found that the SARS-CoV-2 N protein can enter the brain and disrupt microglia, which are immune cells that normally protect brain tissue. Instead of defending the brain, these microglia become aged and dysfunctional, a state known as cellular senescence. Once senescent, microglia release harmful inflammatory substances and lose their ability to support healthy brain function.
In mice exposed to the N protein, scientists observed clear signs of cognitive decline. The animals showed reduced movement, poor memory performance, and difficulty exploring new environments. Brain examinations revealed damage in the hippocampus, a region essential for learning and memory. Proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease, such as abnormal tau and amyloid precursor protein, were also elevated.
Why Energy Metabolism Matters
One of the most important findings of this
Medical News report is that the damage begins with a change in how brain immune cells produce energy. Normally, cells rely on mitochondria to generate energy efficiently. The N protein disrupts mitochondrial function, forcing microglia to switch to a less efficient process called glycolysis. This metabolic shift accelerates aging in these cells and worsens brain inflammation.
When researchers blocked glycolysis using a compound called 2-deoxy-D-glucose, both brain inflammation and memory problems were significantly reduced in mice. This suggests that targeting abnormal energy metabolism could help protect the brain after COVID-19.
Why This Research Is So Important<
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The study provides strong evidence that viral proteins alone, even without ongoing infection, can drive long-term brain damage. This may explain why many people continue to suffer cognitive problems months or even years after recovering from COVID-19. It also highlights potential treatment targets, including drugs that protect mitochondria, regulate cellular energy use, or clear senescent cells from the brain.
Conclusions
This research shows that the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein is not harmless after infection but can directly harm brain immune cells and memory centers. By triggering energy imbalance, cellular aging, and inflammation, the virus leaves a lasting neurological footprint. These findings open the door to new therapies aimed at protecting brain health and preventing long COVID-related cognitive decline.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Molecular Medicine
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s10020-025-01410-3
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Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/long-covid
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