Researchers at the University of Queensland have made a scary discovery about the impact of Long COVID on the brain. They’ve found that brain cells can fuse together long after infection with dangerous and potentially irreversible consequences.
Recent research has revealed that even mild cases of COVID-19 can have a lasting impact on the brain. A study published in Nature showed that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is associated with changes in brain structure. This finding was further supported by a report from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), which found that the most common long-COVID symptoms were shortness of breath, joint pain, loss of smell or taste, weakness, and fatigue.
Now, researchers at the University of Queensland have made an even more concerning discovery about the effects of Long COVID on the brain. They found evidence that brain cells can fuse together long after infection with dangerous and potentially irreversible consequences. The team used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to compare healthy brains to those infected with COVID-19 and discovered that some patients had experienced damage to their white matter—the tissue responsible for connecting different parts of the brain—even months after infection.
The researchers also noted that this damage could be linked to an overactive immune response triggered by the virus. A separate study from the National Institutes of Health described how this immune response damages blood vessels in the brain which can lead to inflammation and cell death.
The findings are particularly concerning as they suggest that even mild cases of COVID-19 can result in long-term neurological problems such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating, depression, anxiety, and other cognitive impairments. The research team is now calling for more studies into these potential effects so we can better understand how to prevent them from happening in future cases.
Sources
- https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2023/06/covid-19-can-cause-brain-cells-fuse%E2%80%99
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04569-5
- https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/long-recovery-brain-damage-effect-stressors-long-covid
Albion News is a great place to find informative, up-to-date news articles. We provide a wide range of unique articles that offer an interesting perspective on current events from around the world and from various different sources. You can easily search for the topics that matter most to you and explore in-depth pieces that provide insight into the issues and important debates occurring today. Albion News helps you stay informed with carefully researched and credible stories!
