“A virus has three purposes: to duplicate, to infiltrate and to spread from one host to the next. Ultimately, even a single virus can shut down an entire system.” Wayne Dyer
“The single biggest threat to man’s continued dominance on the planet is the virus.” Joshua Lederberg
Introduction: While the COVID-19 pandemic of 2019-2022 is over, the causative virus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is still present and continues to infect people worldwide. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently announced: “CDC recommends the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Novavax, to protect against serious illness from COVID-19.”
Globally, as of 18 October 2023, there have been 771,407,825 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 6,972,152 deaths, reported to WHO. As of 8 October 2023, 13,516,282,548 vaccine doses have been administered. In the last seven days, there have been 15,707 confirmed new cases of COVID-19 infection. (Source of data, https://covid19.who.int/ )
“I pictured myself as a virus or a cancer cell and tried to sense what it would be like.” Jonas Salk
Scientific Evidence that SARS-CoV-2 is Involved in Neurodegenerative Processes: It is still unclear if SARS-CoV-2 promotes neurodegeneration. Although much research has been published, further studies are required to fully demonstrate a link between SARS-CoV-2 and Parkinson’s. However, with that disclaimer, there appears to be an interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and neurodegenerative diseases. Alternatively, as seen with other viral pandemics, we could just wait for 20-30 years and see if a spike occurs in Parkinson’s in the world that can be traced back to a COVID-19 infection.
The schematic drawing below summarizes some of the essential elements of Parkinson’s and infection by SARS-CoV-2. The left side highlights the development of Parkinson’s, which typically revolves around older adults with changes in the inflammatory and immune properties of the brain, favoring the alteration in dopaminergic neurons. The right side highlights some critical aspects of how the body reacts to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The neurotropic properties of SARS-CoV-2 are intriguing and suggest some pathological processes accompanied by prolonged chronic neuroinflammation could potentially promote a neurodegenerative process. For someone with the earliest form of Parkinson’s, viral infection could accelerate the disease’s progression.
“A virus is not just DNA; a virus is also packaged up, covered over with a series of proteins in a nice, elegant, well-compacted form.” Francis Collins
Clinical Evidence that SARS-CoV-2 is Involved in Neurodegenerative Processes: Clinical data has been reported that COVID-19 has neuroinvasive potential. Over time, the potent pro-inflammatory scenario generated or some yet unknown viral property of SARS-CoV-2 could accelerate someone’s existing Parkinson’s or help promote Parkinson’s or related parkinsonism in a susceptible person. The section below further highlights the potential sinister interaction of the COVID-19 virus with neurodegenerative processes.
Thus, if you are an older adult with Parkinson’s, you might consider getting the latest version of the COVID-19 vaccine. Likewise, your CarePartner and those close to the PwP should also consider getting the updated version of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“An inefficient virus kills its host. A clever virus stays with it.” James Lovelock
*Should One Take the COVID-19 Vaccine Booster? Here are eight reasons for a person-with-Parkinson’s (PwP) to take the 2023-2024 COVID-19 booster: This information was previously published in the papers listed at the bottom of this blog post (really, I am not making this stuff up).
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, studies in Italy and New York found that mortality rates increased significantly in PwP. The linking of SARS-CoV-2 infection with Parkinson’s included patients with advanced age, reduction of available medication, and other comorbidities likely contributed to increased risk of death.
- A statistical analysis study found that patients with neurological disorders had twice the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and an increased hospitalization risk (40%).
- A different statistical analysis study revealed that patients with viral or bacterial infections had an increased chance of developing Parkinson’s.
- Common symptoms of Parkinson’s include impaired cough reflex, dyspnea, and rigidity of respiratory muscles, possibly contributing to a more severe infection by SARS-CoV-2.
- A study from Germany found that males with dementia and Parkinson’s showed an increase in the 30-day mortality for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Several case studies found patients developing clinical parkinsonism within weeks of being infected by SARS-CoV-2. Some symptoms resolved/improved, while others were treated with standard carbidopa-levodopa and improved. These case reports do not prove a causal relationship between developing parkinsonism and SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, the virus may reveal prodromal parkinsonism.
- During the pandemic, several studies found that Parkinson’s symptoms worsened following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- There is no evidence that the approved mRNA-based vaccines negatively affected or interfered with the neurodegenerative process. The vaccines appear to be safe for older adults with Parkinson’s.
*Medical Disclaimer: This blog post contains advice and information related to health care. It is not intended to replace medical advice. It should be used to supplement rather than replace regular care from your neurologist. You should seek your physician’s advice/approval before embarking on any new health plan or changes to your existing plan/routine.
“The reason that viruses are so hard to fight, the reason for example we need a flu virus every year is that they evolve very fast.” Carl Zimmer
Conclusions: I received my first COVID-19 vaccination on 01/25/2021 and was given my 5th booster shot on 10/13/2023 (six shots in 32 months). Combined the last few COVID-19 shots with the flu vaccine. Why not? I feel better and more protected with these two shots. So far, have not had either a COVID-19 infection or the flu (Knock-on-wood!). Next is the Shingles vaccine (but that’s a different story).
We live in a dancing matrix of viruses; they dart, rather like bees, from organism to organism, from plant to insect to mammal to me and back again, and into the sea, tugging along pieces of this genome, strings of genes from that, transplanting grafts of DNA, passing around heredity as though at a great party.” Lewis Thomas
Cover photo image from Frank C. Church
References Used to Research this Blog Post:
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Brundin, Patrik, Avindra Nath, and J David Beckham. 2020. “Is COVID-19 a perfect storm for Parkinson’s disease?” Trends in neurosciences 43 (12):931-933.
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Journey with Parkinson's 