Study finds ‘zombie cells’ produce at accelerated rate due to Covid-19

Naturally occurring “zombie cells” are being produced at an accelerated rate due to Covid-19, exposing sufferers to brain fog and memory loss.

Covid-19 accelerates the presence of ‘zombie’ or senescent cells. Picture: Supplied

Naturally occurring “zombie or senescent cells” are being produced at an accelerated rate due to Covid-19, according to a recent study.

Researchers at the University of Queensland’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology made the discovery while studying the effects of Covid-19 on lab-grown synthetic brain tissue.

The placenta cells (in green) that are infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (Covid-19, in red). Picture: Supplied

The researchers also found a way to reverse the effects during the study.

Researcher Julio Aguado said the “zombie cells” that Covid-19 accelerated could lead to brain health issues and a form of advanced ageing.

“We found Covid-19 accelerates the presence of ‘zombie’ or senescent cells, which accumulate naturally and gradually in the brain as we get older,” he said.

“Senescent cells are known to drive tissue inflammation and degeneration, leaving patients exposed to cognitive impairments like brain fog and memory loss.”

The researchers then found four drugs – navitoclax, ABT-737, fisetin and “a cocktail of dasatinib plus quercetin (D+Q)” – that were useful at eliminating the zombie cells.

Dr Aguado said more research was needed, but the study was a step towards understanding how to combat any long-term effects Covid-19 and other viral infections might have in the future.

The production of ‘zombie’ cells doesn’t actually lead to the zombie’s pictured here. Picture: supplied by Adelaide Fringe

“More research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms at play,” he said.

“But this study marks a significant step forward in our knowledge of the intricate relationship between viral infections, ageing and neurological wellbeing.

“Long term, we can expect widespread use of these drugs to treat persistent post-acute infection syndromes caused by viral infections like Covid-19.”

[e-mail] | @JordoMc85

Originally published as Study finds ‘zombie cells’ produce at accelerated rate due to Covid-19