New research on Covid -19 and the brain shows much about how this disease has affected the brain. However, the CoV-2 virus causes molecules to line blood vessels in the body, weakening the arteries and veins and leaking. That small blood vessel breaks in the brain cause bleeding. Those leaks caused infections and reduced blood and oxygen in the brain. Diagnostic imaging of some people shows changes in the brain’s white matter, contributing to cognitive difficulties. Here is some medical research carried out in different institutes and universities that tells how Covid-19 has impacted the human brain.
What Medical Researchers Have Concluded?
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A Study by The Alzheimer’s Association International Convention
In July 2021, at the Alzheimer’s Association International Convention, studies showed a “link between Covid-19 and cognitive deficits including the acceleration of Alzheimer’s.”
Results
Many people who had the SARS-CoV virus had a loss of smell and taste. He also experienced “brain fog.” However, brain fog pertains to the loss of cognitive and attention deficits. Some people experience these problems for a long while.
Of course, the medical field is trying to determine how this affects long-term brain health. Dr. Heather Snyder of the Alzheimer’s Association states, “Covid-19 has devastated the world. Also, more research will occur to see the damage to our bodies and brains.”
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A Study by the University Of Texas Health Center
A Sars-CoV study at the University Of Texas Health Center in Antonio showed that loss of smell
also showed evidence of cognitive brain damage.
Results
300 older adults were seen from 3- 6 months after recovery. More than 1 in 4 had problems with forgetfulness, and ½ of these people had language and decision-making difficulties. More research at the AAIC found that more biomarkers showed more people were at risk for Alzheimer’s. At NYU, blood samples were taken from 310 patients in the hospital with Covid- 19 showed increased biomarkers.
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A Study by the University Of Thessaly
Another study at the University Of Thessaly in Greece showed that the cognitive decline in those patients was due to low blood oxygen saturation.
Results
Dr. George Varougios from the university said,” A brain deprived of oxygen is not healthy, which leads to brain difficulties.” These students are giving more clues about how the virus affects a person’s ability to think and remember.
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A Study by John Hopkins Medical Center
Johns Hopkins Medical Center also had an interesting article on June 2020. They are working on many theories as to the effects of Covid-19 on the brain, such as strokes, confusion, and loss of smell and taste.
Results
Younger patients in their 30’s and 40’s have also suffered neurological issues. Dr. Robert Stevens explains some of these theories in 4 areas:
- Severe infections(cases in Japan and China found that the virus’s genetic material in spinal
- fluid)
- The immune system is in overdrive(the immune system produces a response that causes tissue
- damage)
- Chaos in the body(high fevers and low oxygen levels to body organs)
- Blood-clotting problems(clots forming in narrow arteries to the brain)
Future studies
Johns Hopkins is conducting studies with EEGs, MRIs, and spinal fluid samples. About 1 in 7 who have experienced the Covid-19 virus have developed symptoms that affected their brains. The NIH states that most people infected with the COV-2 virus have mild symptoms affecting the brain; if people were hospitalized, they had headaches, delirium, seizures, or strokes.
Common effects of COV-19 on the brain
Some post-acute effects are the following:
- fatigue
- poor concentration
- heart rate
- feelings of hot/cold
- cough
- sleep problems
- joint pains
Conclusion
Many of the brain problems are still present longer than 6 months after the onset of the disease. Long-term research into these problems is ongoing at present. Soon, we will learn about the reasons for these symptoms.