COVID-19 infections are responsible for an upswing in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but now the underlying mechanisms are being identified by research, offering a deeper understanding of this virus-induced mental health disorder.
A metabolic process in the gut is interrupted when angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2), the receptor site for SARS-CoV-2, is occupied by the virus. Tryptophan transporter is typically co-expressed with ACE-2, but when the virus is taking over ACE-2, tryptophan isn’t absorbed.
