New research from Linköping University in Sweden has revealed differences in brain tissue structure between COVID-19 patients with lingering symptoms and healthy individuals.
These findings, published in the journal Brain Communications, may provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of persisting neurological problems after COVID-19.
MRI Reveals Hidden Changes in the Brain
While previous studies have used MRI brain scans to examine post-COVID-19 symptoms, these differences were not specific to COVID-19 and often could not explain the symptoms.
In this study, the researchers used advanced diffusion MRI to examine the brain’s white matter, which primarily consists of nerve axons responsible for transmitting signals between different brain regions and the rest of the body.
Diffusion MRI is a sensitive technology that can detect changes in how nerve axons are organized. It works by measuring the movement of water molecules in the brain’s neural pathways.
When water molecules move more easily along neural pathways, it indicates the structure of those pathways.
Understanding Diffusion MRI
Think of diffusion MRI like a city at night. Car headlights and rear lights create patterns on busy roads, indicating the presence of the road itself.
In a similar way, diffusion MRI helps researchers understand the microscopic structure of the brain by measuring the movement of water molecules along neural pathways.
The study involved 16 men who had been hospitalized for severe COVID-19 and experienced lingering symptoms after seven months.
They were compared to a group of healthy individuals who did not have post-COVID symptoms and had not been hospitalized. Both groups underwent conventional MRI and diffusion MRI scans.
The results showed differences in the white matter structure of the brain between the two groups.
These differences suggest that changes in brain white matter structure may contribute to the neurological problems experienced by those who had severe COVID-19. However, the study acknowledges the need for caution due to its small sample size.
Future Directions
The researchers plan to further investigate the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain using advanced MRI technology.
They are particularly interested in understanding the relationship between brain structure and function in patients experiencing post-COVID fatigue.
Additionally, the study did not assess how these brain changes evolve over time. Further research is needed to determine whether these differences in brain structure are permanent or temporary.
These findings highlight the importance of using advanced imaging techniques to uncover subtle changes in the brain associated with COVID-19 and its lingering effects.
Understanding these changes may pave the way for better treatments and interventions for individuals experiencing persistent symptoms after COVID-19.
The research findings can be found in Brain Communications.
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