The studies listed below are peer reviewed papers on the topic of mRNA vaccines, the spike protein they produce and their impact on our neurological system. Please check back from time to time as this list is expanded with the release of new papers.
Papers are listed by date, the most recent appearing at the top of the page. Click to expand for a full text link, author details, correspondence and abstract. Where a paper is published in multiple journals, the link provided is to a full text version. If we have missed important validated research, please log in and use the comment box below to send us a link. Acceptance of submitted links is at the discretion of the editors.
Please note that on occasion, a retracted study will still be listed. This is an editorial decision, based on the reasons for the papers retraction. Clear attempts to discredit research with a view to censorship does not warrant retraction. These papers are highlighted in red and where possible PDF versions exist on our servers.
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: November, 2025 |
| PUBLICATION: bioRxiv |
| AUTHORS |
| Johan Larsson, Ebba Hellstrand, Per Hammarström, Sofie Nyström |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| sofie.nystrom@liu.se |
| DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5c00550 |
| PMID: 41295749 |
| ABSTRACT |
| An increasing number of reports suggest an association between COVID-19 infection and initiation or acceleration of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Both these diseases and several other NDs are caused by conversion of human proteins into a misfolded, aggregated amyloid fibril state. The fibril formation process is self-perpetuating by seeded conversion from preformed fibril seeds. We recently described a plausible mechanism for amyloid fibril formation of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Spike-protein formed amyloid fibrils upon cleavage by neutrophil elastase, abundant in the inflammatory response to COVID-19 infection. We here provide evidence of significant Spike-amyloid fibril seeded acceleration of amyloid formation of CJD associated human prion protein (HuPrP) using an in vitro conversion assay. By seeding the HuPrP conversion assay with other in vitro generated disease associated amyloid fibrils we demonstrate that this is not a general effect but a specific feature of spike-amyloid fibrils. We also showed that the amyloid fibril formation of AD associated Aβ1-42 was accelerated by Spike-amyloid fibril seeds. Of seven different 20-amino acid long peptides, Spike532 (532NLVKNKCVNFNFNGLTGTGV551) was most efficient in seeding HuPrP and Spike601 (601GTNTSNQVAVLYQDVNCTEV620) was most effective in seeding Aβ1-42, suggesting substrate dependent selectivity of the cross-seeding activity. Albeit purely in vitro, our data suggest that cross-seeding by Spike-amyloid fibrils can be implicated in the increasing number of reports of CJD, AD, and possibly other NDs in the wake of COVID-19. |
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: June, 2025 |
| PUBLICATION: Science Direct |
| AUTHORS |
| Andreas Posa |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| andreas.posa@medizin.uni-halle.de |
| DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152662 |
| PMID: 40254264 |
| ABSTRACT |
| The spike protein (SP) is an outward-projecting transmembrane glycoprotein on viral surfaces. SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2), responsible for COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019), uses SP to infect cells that express angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on their membrane. Remarkably, SP has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) into the brain and cause cerebral damage through various pathomechanisms. To combat the COVID-19 pandemic, novel gene-based products have been used worldwide to induce human body cells to produce SP to stimulate the immune system. This artificial SP also has a harmful effect on the human nervous system. |
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: June, 2025 |
| PUBLICATION: Journal of Clinical Neuroscience |
| AUTHORS |
| Nakao Ota, Masahiko Itani, Tomohiro Aoki, Aki Sakurai, Takashi Fujisawa, Yasuaki Okada, Kosumo Noda, Yoshiki Arakawa, Sadahisa Tokuda, Rokuya Tanikawa |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| nakao1980@gmail.com |
| DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2025.111223 |
| PMID: 40184822 |
| ABSTRACT |
| The rapid deployment of mRNA vaccines for SARS-CoV-2, such as BNT162b2 (BioNTech-Pfizer) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna), provided a critical tool in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. While their short-term safety and efficacy were demonstrated in clinical trials, rare adverse events, including hemorrhagic strokes, have been reported after widespread use. However, the long-term biodistribution and effects of mRNA vaccines remain underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the long-term presence of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in brain tissues of patients with hemorrhagic strokes, examining its potential association with mRNA vaccination. |
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: May, 2025 |
| PUBLICATION: Springer, Journal of Neurology |
| AUTHORS |
| Dániel Bereczki, Ádám Dénes, Filippo M. Boneschi, Tamar Akhvlediani, Francesco Cavallieri, Alessandra Fanciulli, Saša R. Filipović, Alla Guekht, Raimund Helbok, Sonja Hochmeister, Tim J. von Oertzen, Serefnur Özturk, Alberto Priori, Martin Rakusa, Barbara Willekens, Elena Moro, Johann Sellner |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| bereczki.daniel@semmelweis.hu |
| DOI: 10.1007/s00415-025-13110-3 |
| PMID: 40327103 |
| ABSTRACT |
| Background Neuropathological and clinical studies suggest that infection with SARS-CoV-2 may increase the long-term risk of neurodegeneration. Methods We provide a narrative overview of pathological and clinical observations justifying the implementation of a surveillance program to monitor changes in the incidence of neurodegenerative disorders in the years after COVID-19. Results Autopsy studies revealed diverse changes in the brain, including loss of vascular integrity, microthromboses, gliosis, demyelination, and neuronal- and glial injury and cell death, in both unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals irrespective of the severity of COVID-19. Recent data suggest that microglia play an important role in sustained COVID-19-related inflammation, which contributes to the etiology initiating a neurodegenerative cascade, to the worsening of pre-existing neurodegenerative disease or to the acceleration of neurodegenerative processes. Histopathological data have been supported by neuroimaging, and epidemiological studies also suggested a higher risk for neurodegenerative diseases after COVID-19. Conclusions Due to the high prevalence of COVID-19 during the pandemic, healthcare systems should be aware of, and be prepared for a potential increase in the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases in the upcoming years. Strategies may include follow-up of well-described cohorts, analyses of outcomes in COVID-19-registries, nationwide surveillance programs using record-linkage of ICD-10 diagnoses, and comparing the incidence of neurodegenerative disorders in the post-pandemic periods to values of the pre-pandemic years. Awareness and active surveillance are particularly needed, because diverse clinical manifestations due to earlier SARS-CoV-2 infections may no longer be quoted as post-COVID-19 symptoms, and hence, increasing incidence of neurodegenerative pathologies at the community level may remain unnoticed. |
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: October, 2024 |
| PUBLICATION: Sage Journals |
| AUTHORS |
| Colton Betts, Zane Ahlfinger, Mercy C Udeh, Batool F Kirmani |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| rcbetts@tamu.edu |
| DOI: 10.1177/26331055241287730 |
| PMID: 39391859 |
| ABSTRACT |
| The SARS-CoV-2 virus is primarily a respiratory virus, but, as it spread worldwide, it became apparent that there are multiple extrapulmonary manifestations. Reports arose of young and otherwise healthy patients presenting to emergency departments with large-vessel occlusions. Because of a rapidly evolving pandemic, conflicting data sometimes arose regarding the impact of the pandemic on strokes. COVID-19 can induce a hypercoagulable and a proinflammatory state through the interactions with the ACE-2 receptor. These mechanisms may lead to the strokes, both ischemic and hemorrhagic, that are seen in this infection. Strokes, in conjunction with COVID-19 infection, tended to be more disabling and portended a higher mortality. Treatment of these strokes was challenging, as emergency departments were strained with the high burden of COVID-19 admissions. Finally, vaccines against COVID-19 were widely administered, and their potential to cause stroke as an adverse event are discussed. This article will provide an in depth review of the recent updates about the incidence, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation and treatment of strokes that are associated with COVID-1 |
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: November, 2023 |
| PUBLICATION: Archive of Clinical Cases (EU) |
| AUTHORS |
| Josef Finsterer |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| fifigs1@yahoo.de |
| DOI: 10.22551/2023.41.1004.10264 |
| PMID: 38026108 |
| ABSTRACT |
| Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) has not been reported after the third dose of BNT162b2 in a previously healthy vaccinee. A 44-year-old previously healthy female developed pain and sensory disturbances in varying locations after the third BNT162b2 dose. Additionally, she developed recurrent tinnitus, headaches, arthralgia, neck stiffness, and motor dysfunction. A skin biopsy five months after symptom onset revealed normal intra-epidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) but reduced sweat gland nerve fiber density. She is intended for a first series of intravenous immunoglobulins. SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations may be complicated by SFN; the diagnosis SARS-CoV-2 vaccination SFN may be delayed; IENFD may be normal, but sweat gland nerve fiber density may document SFN; and full recovery after SFN cannot always be achieved quickly. |
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: December, 2022 |
| PUBLICATION: Cureus |
| AUTHORS |
| Anthony M. Kyriakopoulos. Greg Nigh, Peter A. McCullough, Stephanie Seneff |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| seneff@csail.mit.edu |
| DOI: 10.7759/cureus.32361 |
| PMID: 36514706 |
| ABSTRACT |
| The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein and prions use common pathogenic pathways to induce toxicity in neurons. Infectious prions rapidly activate the p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, and SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins rapidly activate both the p38 MAPK and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways through toll-like receptor signaling, indicating the potential for similar neurotoxicity, causing prion and prion-like disease. In this review, we analyze the roles of autophagy inhibition, molecular mimicry, elevated intracellular p53 levels and reduced Wild-type p53-induced phosphatase 1 (Wip1) and dual-specificity phosphatase (DUSP) expression in neurons in the disease process. The pathways induced by the spike protein via toll-like receptor activation induce both the upregulation of PrPC (the normal isoform of the prion protein, PrP) and the expression of β amyloid. Through the spike-protein-dependent elevation of p53 levels via β amyloid metabolism, increased PrPC expression can lead to PrP misfolding and impaired autophagy, generating prion disease. We conclude that, according to the age of the spike protein-exposed patient and the state of their cellular autophagy activity, excess sustained activity of p53 in neurons may be a catalytic factor in neurodegeneration. An autoimmune reaction via molecular mimicry likely also contributes to neurological symptoms. Overall results suggest that neurodegeneration is in part due to the intensity and duration of spike protein exposure, patient advanced age, cellular autophagy activity, and activation, function and regulation of p53. Finally, the neurologically damaging effects can be cumulatively spike-protein dependent, whether exposure is by natural infection or, more substantially, by repeated mRNA vaccination. |
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: July, 2022 |
| PUBLICATION: Journal of Family Medicine |
| AUTHORS |
| Josef Finsterer |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| fifigs1@yahoo.de |
| DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2394_21 |
| PMID: 36387712 |
| ABSTRACT |
| Generally, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccinations are not free of side effects. A rarely reported adverse reaction to SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations is small fiber neuropathy (SFN). Here, we present three patients with SFN after the second dose of messenger ribonucleic acid-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Data for this study were collected via the self-made platform “Pubbly” for reporting side effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations. Three patients with post-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination SFN were identified: a 40 yo Caucasian female (patient 1), a 52 yo Caucasian female (patient 2), and a 32 yo Caucasian female (patient 3). Patient 1 complained about fatigue, dizziness, flushing, palpitations, diarrhea, muscle weakness, and gait disturbance 10 days after the second Pfizer jab. Patient 2 reported dizziness, balance problems, brain fog, palpitations, dysphagia, and sleep problems. Patient 3 complained about profound fatigue, brain fog, vertigo, pre-syncopal sensations, hair loss, chest pain, dyspnea, palpitations, paresthesias, irregular menstrual cycles, muscle weakness, and hives 1 day after the second Moderna dose. All three patients underwent skin biopsy upon which SFN was diagnosed. Patient 1 profited from immunoglobulins, but patient 2 did not require any treatment. Symptoms in patient 3 resolved upon symptomatic treatment. Despite treatment, patient 1 did not completely recover. SFN can be a rare side effect of SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations. Post-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination SFN can be mild or severe and may or may not require treatment. Post-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination SFN is most likely immune-mediated as it responds to intravenous immunoglobulins. |
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: March, 2022 |
| PUBLICATION: bioRxiv |
| AUTHORS |
| H. Abramczyk, B. Brozek-Pluska, Karolina Beton |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| halina.abramczyk@p.lodz.pl |
| DOI: 10.1101/2022.03.02.482639 |
| PMID: 40184822 |
| ABSTRACT |
| The paper presents the effect of COVID-19 mRNA (Pfizer/BioNT) vaccine on in vitro glial cells of the brain studied by means of Raman spectroscopy and imaging.. The results obtained for human brain normal and tumor glial cells of astrocytes, astrocytoma, glioblastoma incubated with the Covid-19 mRNA vaccine Pfizer/BioNT vaccine show alterations in the reduction-oxidation pathways associated with Cytochrome c. We found that the Pfizer/BioNT vaccine down regulate the concentration of cytochrome c in mitochondria upon incubation with normal and tumorous glial cells. Concentration of oxidized form of cytochrome c in brain cells has been shown to decrease upon incubation the mRNA vaccine. Lower concentration of oxidized cytochrome c results in lower effectiveness of oxidative phosphorylation (respiration), reduced apoptosis and lessened ATP production. Alteration of Amide I concentration, which may reflect the decrease of mRNA adenine nucleotide translocator. Moreover, mRNA vaccine leads to alterations in biochemical composition of lipids that suggest the increasing role of signaling. mRNA vaccine produce statistically significant changes in cell nucleus due to histone alterations. The results obtained for mitochondria, lipid droplets, cytoplasm may suggest that COVID-19 mRNA (Pfizer/BioNT) vaccine reprograms immune responses. The observed alterations in biochemical profiles upon incubation with COVID-19 mRNA in the specific organelles of the glial cells are similar to those we observe for brain cancer vs grade of aggressiveness. |
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: February, 2022 |
| PUBLICATION: The Lancet |
| AUTHORS |
| Celine Sze Ling Chui, Min Fan, Eric Yuk Fai Wan, Miriam Tim Yin Leung, Edmund Cheung, Vincent Ka Chun Yan, Le Gao, Yonas Ghebremichael-Weldeselassie, Kenneth K.C. Man g, Kui Kai Lau, Ivan Chun Hang Lam, Francisco Tsz Tsun Lai, Xue Li, Carlos King Ho Wong, Esther W. Chan, Ching-Lung Cheung, Chor-Wing Sing, Cheuk Kwong Lee, Ivan Fan Ngai Hung, Chak Sing Lau, Ian Chi Kei Wong |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| wongick@hku.hk |
| DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101504 |
| PMID: 34555320 |
| ABSTRACT |
| This study aims to evaluate the association between thromboembolic events and hemorrhagic stroke following BNT162b2 and CoronaVac vaccination. Methods: Patients with incident thromboembolic events or hemorrhagic stroke within 28 days of covid-19 vaccination or SARS-CoV-2 positive test during 23 February to 30 September 2021 were included. The incidence per 100,000 covid-19 vaccine doses administered and SARS-CoV-2 test positive cases were estimated. A modified self-controlled case series (SCCS) analysis using the data from the Hong Kong territory-wide electronic health and vaccination records. Seasonal effect was adjusted by month. Findings: A total of 5,526,547 doses of BNT162b2 and 3,146,741 doses of CoronaVac were administered. A total of 334 and 402 thromboembolic events, and 57 and 49 hemorrhagic stroke cases occurred within 28 days after BNT162b2 and CoronaVac vaccination, respectively. The crude incidence of thromboembolic events and hemorrhagic stroke per 100,000 doses administered for both covid-19 vaccines were smaller than that per 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 test positive cases. The modified SCCS detected an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke in BNT162b2 14-27 days after first dose with adjusted IRR of 2.53 (95% CI 1.48-4.34), and 0-13 days after second dose with adjusted IRR 2.69 (95% CI 1.54-4.69). No statistically significant risk was observed for thromboembolic events for both vaccines. Interpretation: We detected a possible safety signal for hemorrhagic stroke following BNT162b2 vaccination. The incidence of thromboembolic event or hemorrhagic stroke following vaccination is lower than that among SARS-CoV-2 test positive cases; therefore, vaccination against covid-19 remains an important public health intervention. |
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: November, 2021 |
| PUBLICATION: Acta Neurol Scan. |
| AUTHORS |
| Josef Finsterer |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| fifigs1@yahoo.de |
| DOI: 10.1111/ane.13550 |
| PMID: 34750810 |
| ABSTRACT |
| SARS-CoV-2 and adverse reactions to SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations show a tropism for neuronal structures and tissues. This narrative review was conducted to collect and discuss published data about neurological side effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in order to discover type, frequency, treatment, and outcome of these side effects. The most frequent neurological side effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are headache, Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), venous sinus thrombosis (VST), and transverse myelitis. Other neurological side effects occur in a much lower frequency. Neurological side effects occur with any of the approved vaccines but VST particularly occurs after vaccination with vector-based vaccines. Treatment of these side effects is not at variance from similar conditions due to other causes. The worst outcome of these side effects is associated with VST, why it should not be missed and treated appropriately in due time. In conclusion, safety concerns against SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are backed by an increasing number of studies reporting neurological side effects. The most frequent of them are headache, GBS, VST, and transverse myelitis. Healthcare professionals, particularly neurologists involved in the management of patients having undergone SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations, should be aware of these side effects and should stay vigilant to recognize them early and treat them adequately. |
The studies listed below are peer reviewed papers on the topic of Long Covid, LPCVS…
The studies listed below are peer reviewed papers on the topic of the impact of…
The studies listed below are peer reviewed papers on the impact of the Covid mRNA…
The studies listed below are peer reviewed papers on the topic of integration of the…
The studies listed below are peer reviewed papers on the topic of excess mortality that…
The studies listed below are peer reviewed papers on the topic of the mRNA produced…
This website uses cookies.