A new study shows that damage to the brainstem—the control center of the brain—may explain the long-lasting physical and mental symptoms experienced by some people after severe COVID-19 infection.
Using powerful MRI scanners, researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford were able to see the effects of COVID-19 on the brain in incredible detail.
The study, published in the journal Brain, focused on 30 people who had been hospitalized with severe COVID-19 early in the pandemic, before vaccines were available.
The researchers found that COVID-19 caused inflammation in the brainstem, which is responsible for key functions like breathing, heart rate, and regulating fatigue.
The brainstem also plays a role in mental health by controlling feelings of anxiety and depression.
The advanced MRI scanners used in the study, called 7-Tesla (7T) scanners, are able to capture much finer details than regular hospital scanners. These ultra-powerful scanners allowed the researchers to measure inflammation in the brainstem, something that had previously only been possible in post-mortem examinations.
Dr. Catarina Rua, the study’s lead author, explained the significance of these findings: “The brainstem is crucial for basic life functions, but it has been very hard to study in living people because it’s small and in a tricky position. Thanks to the 7T scanners, we can now see how COVID-19 affects this critical part of the brain.”
The study found that multiple areas of the brainstem, particularly the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain, showed signs of inflammation weeks after the patients were hospitalized. These regions are directly involved in controlling breathing, which could explain why many people experience breathlessness and fatigue long after recovering from the virus. The research also found that those who had more severe cases of COVID-19 showed the most significant brain abnormalities.
In addition to physical symptoms, the study also uncovered links between brainstem damage and mental health issues. The brainstem helps regulate feelings of breathlessness, anxiety, and depression. The researchers found that patients with the most pronounced brainstem inflammation were more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety.
“These changes in the brainstem could lead to poor mental health outcomes because of the strong connection between physical and mental health,” said Professor James Rowe, co-leader of the research.
The findings could also help scientists better understand other diseases that involve brainstem inflammation, like multiple sclerosis (MS) and dementia. The 7T scanners might also be used to test how effective different treatments are in reducing brain inflammation.
Dr. Rua praised the collaboration between researchers during the peak of the pandemic, saying, “It was amazing to see how everyone came together to make this study possible, even during such a challenging time.”
If you care about COVID, please read studies about vitamin D deficiency linked to severe COVID-19, death, and how diets could help manage post-COVID syndrome.
For more health information, please see recent studies about COVID infection and vaccination linked to heart disease, and results showing extracts from two wild plants can inhibit COVID-19 virus.
