Plasma 4E-BP1, MSR1, IL-8 and IL-6 as well as CSF TNFRSF12A, TNFRSF11B, CLEC10A, PD-L1 and EZR were associated with COVID-19 severity and Neuro-COVID, highlighting the role of the previously described cytokine storm, the innate immune system, particularly microglia overactivation, and a dysfunctional BBB in progressive COVID-1918,19,22,27,45,46,65. The gene discussed is EIF4EBP1; the disease is COVID-19.