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The Scary Effects of Former Covid-19 Patients. PHOTO/DAILY
LONDON – A group of scientists claims that killing zombie cells can reverse brain aging in patients with infections caused by Covid-19.
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“Zombie” cells are cells that have died but remain in the brain. They can cause damage and inflammation, which can contribute to brain aging.
In a study published in the journal Nature Communications, scientists from the University of California, San Francisco, found that killing “zombie” cells with a drug called pembrolizumab improved brain function in mice infected with Covid-19.
Mice that received the drug showed improved memory, learning, and ability to navigate.
The Japan Times reported that the team’s research results showed mice given the vaccine had reduced levels of senescent cells, aka “zombie cells,” which accumulate with age and are linked to conditions such as arthritis and hardening of the arteries.
“We can hope that (the vaccine) will be applied to the treatment of hardening of the arteries, diabetes and other aging-related diseases,” Minamino wrote.
Scientists say that this research shows that “zombie” cells could be a potential target for treating Covid-induced brain aging.
They also say that this research could lead to the development of new treatments for other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Researchers studied mice infected with Covid-19 and found that the mice had more “zombie” cells in their brains than uninfected mice. They then gave the drug pembrolizumab to mice infected with Covid-19.
After two weeks, mice that received the drug showed improved brain function compared to mice that did not receive the drug. Mice that received the drug showed improved memory, learning, and ability to navigate.
Researchers say that this improvement in brain function is due to a reduction in “zombie” cells in the brain. They said that the drug pembrolizumab might be used to treat brain aging due to Covid-19 or other neurodegenerative diseases.
The research is still in its early stages, but the results are promising. If further research can replicate these results in humans, then the drug pembrolizumab or a similar drug could be an effective treatment for brain aging due to Covid-19.
(wbs)