Understanding Long COVID’s Brain-Related Symptoms
Researchers are striving to solve the mystery behind the neuropsychiatric symptoms of long COVID, such as brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and headaches.
In a new study, scientists explored two potential causes: neuroinflammation and blood-brain-barrier dysfunction. Their findings, published in JAMA Network Open, shed light on what might not be causing these troubling symptoms.
The Study’s Approach and Findings
Led by Dr. Shelli Farhadian and Dr. Serena Spudich from Yale School of Medicine, the team conducted research on people living with long COVID.
They gathered and analyzed spinal fluid samples, looking for markers indicating brain inflammation or blood-brain-barrier problems.
This approach is similar to studies on other neurological diseases like HIV, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s.
Contrary to what some expected, the researchers found no significant differences in neuroinflammation or blood-brain-barrier function between people with long COVID and those without.
This suggests that these two factors are unlikely to be the root causes of the neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Implications for Long COVID Treatment
This discovery is crucial because it helps narrow down the list of potential causes. Dr. Farhadian notes that treatments focusing on reducing brain inflammation might not be effective for long COVID patients.
The study opens new avenues for research, as scientists can now focus on other possible causes of these symptoms.
The team at Yale, as part of the COVID Mind Study, plans to investigate whether lingering viral infections in the central nervous system might be linked to these symptoms.
Concurrently, Dr. Lindsay McAlpine is leading research into potential structural and vascular abnormalities in the brain related to long COVID.
The Road Ahead
The journey to understanding and effectively treating long COVID is ongoing. As researchers continue to explore various hypotheses, the hope is to gradually eliminate some possibilities and focus more on others.
This study marks an important step in the complex process of unraveling the mysteries of long COVID and its impact on brain function.
In summary, while this research rules out two potential causes of neuropsychiatric symptoms in long COVID, it opens the door for more targeted investigations, moving researchers closer to finding effective treatments and solutions.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about inflammation that may actually slow down cognitive decline in older people, and low vitamin D may speed up cognitive decline.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about common exercises that could protect against cognitive decline, and results showing that this MIND diet may protect your cognitive function, and prevent dementia.
The research findings can be found in JAMA Network Open.
Follow us on Twitter for more articles about this topic.
Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
