Exploring "Spikeopathies" and Their Impact on the Brain
Originally published: 2025-04-21
The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, a key player in both COVID-19 infection and gene-based vaccines, has a darker side that’s only recently coming to light. A groundbreaking narrative review by Andreas Posa, MD, PhD, published in the Annals of Anatomy (2025), dives deep into the neurological dangers posed by this protein, whether it comes from the virus itself or from anti-SARS-CoV-2 products (ASPs), commonly known as COVID-19 vaccines. Titled “Spike protein-related proteinopathies: a focus on the neurological side of spikeopathies,” the paper unveils how the spike protein can infiltrate the brain, triggering a cascade of damaging effects. This blog post breaks down the key findings, shedding light on why these “spikeopathies” demand our attention.
What Are Spikeopathies?
The term “spikeopathies” refers to a range of neurological disorders driven by the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SP). This protein, found on the virus’s surface, is also produced by human cells after receiving gene-based vaccines like those from Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna. Posa’s review explains how SP’s unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) makes it a potent threat to the central nervous system (CNS).
“Both SP entities (from infection and injection) interfere with ACE2 and act on different cells, tissues, and organs… trigger[ing] acute and chronic neurological complaints.” – Andreas Posa
The paper highlights SP’s role in binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors, a process that not only facilitates viral entry but also disrupts critical bodily systems, particularly in the brain. From natural infection to vaccine-induced production, SP’s effects are far-reaching and complex.
The Spike Protein’s Path to the Brain
One of the most alarming findings is SP’s ability to breach the BBB, a protective shield that typically guards the brain from harmful substances. Through a process called adsorptive transcytosis, SP sneaks into the brain, accumulating in areas like the skull marrow, meninges, and brain parenchyma. This infiltration sets the stage for a host of neurological issues.
“The potential neurotoxicity of SP from ASP needs to be critically examined, as ASPs have been administered to millions of people worldwide.” – Andreas Posa
Once inside, SP interacts with ACE2 on brain endothelial cells, destabilizing the BBB and paving the way for further damage. Autopsy studies cited in the review confirm SARS-CoV-2’s presence in the brain, with effects lingering up to 230 days post-infection. This suggests that both viral and vaccine-derived SP could contribute to long-term neurological complications, including those seen in Long-COVID.
Four Ways Spike Protein Wreaks Havoc
Posa’s review outlines four major mechanisms by which SP harms the CNS, painting a vivid picture of its destructive potential:
1. Thrombogenic Damage
SP promotes blood clotting by interacting with platelets, integrins, and the complement system. This can lead to thrombosis and inflammation, starving brain tissue of oxygen and causing vascular complications.
2. Cerebral Tissue and Endothelial Damage
By degrading junctional proteins and activating inflammatory pathways like NF-kB, SP compromises brain endothelial cells. This results in increased vascular permeability, reduced blood flow, and cognitive dysfunction, as seen in animal models and post-mortem studies of COVID-19 patients.
3. Neuroinflammatory Damage
SP sparks neuroinflammation by activating microglia and macrophages, releasing pro-inflammatory molecules like TNF-α and IL-6. This inflammatory storm, observed in brain tissue from COVID-19 patients, can exacerbate neurological symptoms.
4. Neurodegenerative Damage
Perhaps most concerning, SP exhibits prion-like properties, binding to amyloidogenic proteins like amyloid-beta and alpha-synuclein. This promotes protein misfolding and aggregation, potentially accelerating diseases like Alzheimer’s or even Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
“SP can trigger neurodegenerative damage in the CNS via various mechanisms… contributing to neurodegenerative changes in the CNS.” – Andreas Posa
These mechanisms collectively classify spikeopathies as neurological proteinopathies, with implications for both acute and chronic brain health.
The Role of COVID-19 Vaccines
The review doesn’t shy away from discussing the neurological risks of ASPs, which include mRNA vaccines (e.g., Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty, Moderna’s Spikevax) and adenovirus vector-based vaccines (e.g., AstraZeneca’s Vaxzevria). These gene-based products instruct human cells to produce SP, mimicking the virus to trigger an immune response. However, this artificial SP can circulate systemically, potentially crossing the BBB and causing the same neurological damage as its viral counterpart.
The rapid global rollout of ASPs, often under emergency approvals, raises concerns about their long-term safety. Posa notes that phase 3 trials were incomplete at the time of deployment, and critical safety analyses were bypassed. Reports of neurological adverse effects, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and demyelinating disorders, underscore the need for further scrutiny.
Why This Matters Now
With millions worldwide having received ASPs, and Long-COVID affecting countless others, understanding spikeopathies is more urgent than ever. The review calls for rigorous long-term studies to assess the neurological risks of SP, whether from infection or vaccination. It also highlights the need to reconsider the use of SP-based vaccines in healthy populations, including children and adolescents, given the potential for lasting brain harm.
“The toxic properties of SP presented in this review provide a good explanation for many of the neurological symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection and after injection of SP-producing ASP.” – Andreas Posa
Looking Ahead
Posa’s work is a wake-up call, urging the scientific community to prioritize the neurological safety of SP-based interventions. As we navigate the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, this review underscores the importance of balancing immune protection with the potential risks to brain health. By shining a light on spikeopathies, it paves the way for safer vaccines and better treatments for those affected by neurological complications.
For anyone interested in the intersection of virology, neurology, and public health, this paper is a must-read. It’s a reminder that even the tools we use to fight a virus can have unintended consequences—and that knowledge is our best defense.
Source: Posa, A. (2025). Spike protein-related proteinopathies: a focus on the neurological side of spikeopathies. Annals of Anatomy. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152662
