Shocking Truth: Is COVID-19’s Spike Protein Haunting Your Brain?

This article discusses a peer-reviewed study showing that spike proteins from COVID-19 can persist in the brain, the meninges that cover the brain, and the skull.

This explains the decrease in mental function, brain fog, or long-term COVID symptoms after a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Cell Host and Microbe published, Persistence of spike protein at the skull-meninges-brain axis may contribute to the neurological sequelae of COVID-19 in December 2024.

Contents hide

1 Introduction

2 What Did the Scientists Do?

2.1 Human Tissues

2.2 Advanced Imaging

2.3 Animal Experiments

2.4 Vaccination Effects

3 Main Findings

3.1 Spike Protein Lingers

3.2 Possible Cause of Brain Symptoms

3.3 Long-Term Brain Frailty

4 Why Does This Matter?

5 What Does It Mean for You?

6 The Study Does NOT Cover Those Who Are Only Vaccinated

Introduction

Scientists have long noted that many people experience lingering brain-related symptoms after a COVID-19 infection—commonly referred to as “long COVID.”

These can include memory issues, brain fog, anxiety, and other neurological problems. A recent study sheds light on a possible culprit: the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

In this research, scientists found that the spike protein—one of the key proteins that help the COVID-19 virus invade cells—may persist in the skull, the tissues lining the brain (the meninges), and even inside the brain for months after the infection has cleared.

This leftover spike protein could trigger inflammation and contribute to long-term brain changes.

Sars-Cov-2 Spike Protein Lingered In The Skull, Meninges And The Brain — Sars-Cov-2 Spike Protein Lingered In The Skull, Meninges, And The Brain. Source: Rong Et Al. Cell Host And Microbe 2024

What Did the Scientists Do?

Human Tissues

- Researchers analyzed the skull, the meninges (the protective layers around the brain), and the brain tissue of people who died from COVID-19.
- They also looked at tissues from people who had been infected in the past but died of non-COVID causes.

Advanced Imaging

- Using cutting-edge optical tissue-clearing technologies. They made tissues transparent to see exactly where the spike protein was located.
- They found spike protein in the skull marrow, the connections between the skull and the brain’s lining, and sometimes within the brain tissue itself—even when no active virus was found.

Animal Experiments

- The study included mouse experiments, where researchers either infected mice with SARS-CoV-2 or injected them with the spike protein alone.
- They found the same pattern: spike protein in the skull, meninges, and brain, along with signs of inflammation and changes in the proteins that cells normally produce.

Vaccination Effects

- Despite getting the shot, the jabbed mice still showed some spike protein after infection, although less than unvaccinated mice.
- This suggests that spike proteins can persist even in those who have vaccine-induced immunity.

Main Findings

Spike Protein Lingers

- The spike protein can remain in the skull marrow, meninges, and even inside the brain for a long period, potentially triggering inflammation or “irritating” immune cells.

The image below shows the control and study mice. The WT Spike (Wuhan type, the original SARS-CoV-2 from Wuhan) and the Influenza H1 served as control. The study mice in the middle were injected with the spike protein. The orange color shows where the spike proteins were found.

Spike Protein In Different Organs Of The Mice. Source: Rong Et Al. Cell Host And Microbe 2024

Possible Cause of Brain Symptoms

- Even without the full virus present, the leftover spike protein alone was enough to cause neuroinflammation and worsen outcomes in mice with brain injuries or stroke.
- In humans, biomarkers of neurodegeneration (like elevated Tau protein) were higher in people who had long COVID symptoms.

Long-Term Brain Frailty

- Mice that had lingering spike protein showed increased anxiety-like behaviors and more severe outcomes if they later experienced a stroke or traumatic brain injury.
- These findings hint that leftover spike protein could prime the brain for worse reactions to future insults or health problems.
- The Risk of Alzheimer’s Dementia after COVID-19

Why Does This Matter?

Long COVID: Many people continue to report neurological issues after recovering from COVID-19, even if they had mild symptoms initially. This research shows a biological basis for these prolonged or late-onset symptoms.
Inflammation in the Brain: Persistent spike protein might keep the immune system revved up, damaging nearby brain cells or blood vessels over time.
Better Treatments: Knowing that the spike protein can stick around suggests we might need new strategies—perhaps anti-inflammatory drugs or interventions that specifically clear spike protein—to help people recover fully.

I wrote about the effects of the spike protein on the brain. You can read them in:

What Does It Mean for You?

Lingering Neurological Symptoms: If you’ve had COVID-19 and experience ongoing “brain fog,” headaches, or other neurological issues, this study hints there might be residual spike protein contributing to ongoing inflammation in your skull and brain area.
Monitoring and Follow-Up: Regular check-ups could be helpful, especially if you have long COVID symptoms. Discuss persistent symptoms with a healthcare provider who can monitor neurological and inflammatory markers.
Everyone should read this—The Shocking Truth About Spike Proteins, Sugar And Inflammation
Preventive Measures: Vaccination and supportive care (such as nutrition, exercise, and possibly anti-inflammatory treatments) might help reduce the long-term burden of spike protein.
Future Research: More studies should investigate whether specific treatments can block or remove leftover spike protein and reduce long COVID symptoms.

The Study Does NOT Cover Those Who Are Only Vaccinated

It’s critical to highlight that the researchers did not investigate individuals who got vaccinated but never infected with the virus.

The current narrative is that the mRNA vaccines are designed to produce spike protein locally in muscle cells for a limited time, after which the body’s immune system clears the protein and the mRNA instructions.

However, studies have shown that the spike proteins made by the body after the COVID-19 jabs can persist in the body. Read about them here:

Conclusion

This study offers a new perspective on why so many people still feel the after effects of COVID-19 long after the virus is gone.

By showing that spike protein can persist in the skull, meninges, and brain, we now have a clearer picture of what might drive long-lasting inflammation and neurological issues.

While more research is needed, especially in humans, the findings highlight the value of early treatment, possible anti-inflammatory therapies, and a need to monitor brain health in those recovering from COVID-19.

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References

Rong, Zhouyi, et al. Persistence of spike protein at the skull-meninges-brain axis may contribute to the neurological sequelae of COVID-19. Cell Host & Microbe, Volume 32, Issue 12, 2112 – 2130.e10
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions.” CDC, 2023, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects.
National Institutes of Health (NIH). “Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC).” NIH, 2023, https://recovercovid.org.

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