According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one in five adults will experience long-term effects from COVID-19.
These effects, known as long COVID, can persist even after recovery from the initial illness.
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology have recently conducted a study revealing brain changes in patients up to six months after recovering from COVID-19.
Neurological Symptoms and Beyond
Long COVID is associated with various neurological symptoms, including difficulty with concentration and thinking, headaches, sleep problems, dizziness, a pins-and-needles sensation, changes in smell or taste, as well as depression and anxiety.
However, studies have also shown that COVID-19 may impact the heart, lungs, and other organs, even in individuals who did not exhibit symptoms.
Investigating Brain Changes
To better understand the impact of COVID-19 on the brain, researchers in this study utilized a technique called susceptibility-weighted imaging.
This imaging method examines the effects of COVID-19 on the brain by measuring magnetic susceptibility, which indicates how certain materials, such as blood, iron, and calcium, respond to a magnetic field.
It is a useful tool for detecting and monitoring various neurological conditions.
Study Findings
The study involved analyzing susceptibility-weighted imaging data from 46 patients who had recovered from COVID-19 and 30 healthy individuals (controls).
All imaging scans were performed within six months after recovery.
Among the patients with long COVID, the most commonly reported symptoms were fatigue, sleep disturbances, difficulty with attention, and memory issues.
MRI results revealed that the patients who had recovered from COVID-19 exhibited significantly higher susceptibility values in the frontal lobe and brain stem compared to the healthy controls.
In the frontal lobe, differences primarily appeared in the white matter.
Specific areas affected included portions of the left and right orbital-inferior frontal gyrus, which play important roles in language comprehension, cognitive functions, attention, motor inhibition, and social cognitive processes.
Another significant finding was observed in the right ventral diencephalon region of the brain stem, which is responsible for crucial functions such as coordinating with the endocrine system, relaying sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex, and regulating sleep-wake cycles.
Longitudinal Study and Future Research
The researchers plan to conduct a longitudinal study to observe whether these brain abnormalities persist over a longer period in the same group of patients.
This will provide further insight into the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain.
As more people are infected with and recover from COVID-19, research is shedding light on the lasting consequences of the disease.
Understanding the impact on the brain is crucial for comprehensive care and support for individuals affected by long COVID.
This study contributes to our knowledge of the neurological effects of the virus and paves the way for further investigation into potential treatments and interventions.
This study was conducted by Sapna S. Mishra et al and presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America.
If you care about Covid-19, please read studies about new ways to prevent the common cold (and maybe COVID-19), and common diabetes drugs linked to less severe COVID-19.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about COVID infection and vaccination linked to heart disease, and results showing extracts from two wild plants can inhibit the COVID-19 virus.
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