Anavex Life Sciences Corp (AVXL)

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COVID-19, autophagy, and the aging process.

The discovery (in the previously referenced study; paper) that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is able to disrupt normal autophagy processes in cells, thereby disrupting the cells’ ability to consume or destroy those viruses might help explain why COVID-19 in children is seldom severe, whereas in the elderly it so often is. With aging, many processes diminish. Diminished autophagy is a recognized feature of aging:

The decrease in autophagic activity observed in almost all cells and tissues as organisms age was proposed to contribute to different aspects of the aging phenotype and to the aggravation of detrimental age-related diseases.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2745226/

Autophagy in children is strong; undiminished by age. Consequently, SARS-CoV-2 viruses are quickly “digested,” disabled; no or only mild COVID-19 symptoms. But in the elderly, age has compromised autophagy; SARS-CoV-2 viruses are insufficiently disabled, COVID-19 symptoms can be severe.

It stands to reason, then, that any agent that fortifies autophagy (where it has been diminished, as in the aged) might be therapeutic against COVID-19. Blarcamesine has been shown to restore or promote autophagy. Will it, then, be an effective treatment (or prevention) of COVID-19? Only good clinical testing will decide the question. Before that, the question must first be asked (which, here, has been done). Next, there must be some plausible mechanism by which the therapy could succeed. The new paper provides that.

Finally? Clinically, administer blarcamesine to placebo-controlled populations subject to COVID-19 (or other viral infections). Let the results settle the question. No beans, magic or otherwise, need be invoked.