Abstract: Long-acting glucagon like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1R agonists) reduce and inhibit pathological processes caused by activated microglia that give rise to long-term neurological impairment resulting from infection with a virus such as COVID-19. A preferred long-acting GLP-1R agonist is PEGylated exenatide, administered systemically, preferably subcutaneously. The compositions are particularly suited for treating, alleviating, and/or preventing one or more neurological symptoms associated with microglial activation elicited by a virus such as COVID, for example, cognitive impairment.

Abstract: Disclosed are fusion proteins that include albumin fused to a polypeptide that has insulin activity. The fusion proteins may include albumin fused to insulin or an insulin analog. In particular, the fusions proteins may include albumin fused to a single chain insulin analog. The fusion proteins may exhibit extended insulin activity in vivo or in vitro relative to insulin that is not fused to albumin. The fusion proteins may be formulated as aerosol compositions.