Colds and dementia cause inflammation in the brain. This often leads to rapid muscle fatigue, but the causes were unknown. In a new study, scientists found a protein that travels from the inflamed brain to the muscles and interferes with their function. The results were published in the journal Science Immunology.
Scientists modeled three diseases in flies and mice: E. coli infection, SARS-COV-2 infection, and Alzheimer’s disease. The inflammatory proteins characteristic of these diseases caused brain damage from reactive oxygen species. At the same time, brain cells released the molecule interleukin-6 (IL-6). It enters the muscles via the bloodstream, reducing cellular energy production in the muscles.
Brain inflammation caused decreased motor activity in the animals. This effect persisted long after they recovered from the infection. Drugs in the JAK inhibitor class have also been shown to relieve symptoms of brain inflammation. These drugs are used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
Scientists believe that the mechanisms they discovered are also present in humans, as confirmed by studies in patients with bacterial meningitis, dementia and coronavirus.
Earlier scientists to create way to protect the brain from stroke damage.