The Biological Drivers of Long COVID with Dr Amy Proal
*The information in this podcast is intended for Healthcare Practitioners. Long COVID – its highly prevalent, often includes debilitating symptoms and there is currently no consensus on what is driving the syndrome. Cue Dr Amy Proal. Dr Proal is a microbiologist and CEO of Polybio Research Foundation, and she is driven to elucidate the pathophysiology of long COVID. In this episode Dr Proal discusses the new science on the biological drivers of long COVID, outlining the evidence for the ‘persistent SARS-CoV-2 reservoir’ hypothesis of long COVID. Further, Dr Proal explains the nefarious mechanisms SARS-CoV-2 has on suppressing immunity, synergising with pathobionts and potentially wreaking havoc on neurological circuits, all of which can help explain long COVID symptomatology such as chronic inflammation, hypercoagulability, sickness behaviour and dysautonomia. The podcast explores spike proteins, co-infections, dysbiosis, vagal nerve dysfunction and more to paint a comprehensive picture of this condition. To conclude, Nathan and Dr Proal discuss potential therapeutic targets and cast an eye to the future on Dr Proal’s current collaboration with world-leading researchers on long COVID. Useful Links Proal AD, VanElzakker MB. Long COVID or Post-acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC): An Overview of Biological Factors That May Contribute to Persistent Symptoms. Front Microbiol. 2021;12:698169. Published 2021 Jun 23. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2021.698169 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34248921/ https://polybio.org/