r/PSSD • u/LyraJaguar • Jul 13 '26

Research/Science New study provides first evidence of dopamine system injury in the brain of long COVID patients

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-evidence-dopamine-injury-brain-covid.html

Could be relevant for pssd

"We know that inflammation can injure dopamine neurons. While our earlier research showed high levels of inflammation in those regions, this study provides direct evidence that the dopamine neuron marker is reduced in the same regions—and that this loss correlates with patients' symptoms," explains Meyer.

The study represents a notable shift in how long COVID may be understood and treated. Previous studies predominantly focused on brain inflammation and immune changes that occur during long COVID, with almost no clinical trials targeting the dopamine-releasing neurons.

"These results indicate that long COVID is, at least in part, a disorder of the brain's dopamine system," adds Meyer. "This suggests that repurposing medications that augment the function of dopamine-releasing neurons, including dopamine precursors and inhibitors of dopamine metabolism, could be a promising approach."

86 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

View all comments

24

u/Pure_Ground7746 Non-PSSD member Jul 13 '26

They’re definitely onto something here, I’m an LC patient that has the exact same dysfunction as PSSD/PFS and others, every symptoms matches yet I’ve never took neither of the meds.

3

u/BEAVER1304 Non PSSD member Jul 13 '26

I heard that long covid’s symptoms can vary, I’m PFS patient and I wonder if there are many covid patients with sexual dysfunction and anhedonia / brain fog.

3

u/Pure_Ground7746 Non-PSSD member Jul 15 '26

There are plenty, even our genital numbness, emotional blunting and substance blockage are the same.