Loss of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 in striatum of long COVID and relationship to neuropsychiatric symptoms

PET brain scans from CAMH found reduced dopamine nerve terminal markers in people with Long COVID, tied to low motivation, slowed movement, and memory problems.

Researchers at Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health used PET imaging to measure VMAT2, a marker of dopamine nerve terminals, in 24 adults with Long COVID and 24 age-matched healthy controls. VMAT2 levels were lower across all three major regions of the striatum, with reductions of roughly 16 to 20 percent depending on region.

Lower levels in specific regions tracked with specific symptoms: the ventral striatum with motivation deficits, the dorsal putamen with slower movement, and the caudate with memory difficulties. The team says the findings build on earlier evidence of brain inflammation in Long COVID and plans a clinical trial targeting dopamine function with University Health Network.