A new study indicates the debilitating “brain fog” suffered by millions of long COVID patients is linked to changes in the brain, including inflammation and an impaired ability to rewire itself following COVID-19 infection.
Researchers looked at biomarkers in study participants and found that those complaining of brain fog had higher levels of an anti-inflammatory protein that is crucial to regulating a person’s immune system, UPI reported.
The most debilitating symptom is brain fog, described by Yale Medicine as “sluggish” thinking, forgetfulness, difficulty processing information and an inability to focus or concentrate on tasks they used to complete with ease.
One of the biggest issues involving long COVID has been doctors’ inability to find physical proof of the symptoms described by patients.
“In parallel with the effects on executive function, we also saw that [NGF], which reflects the brain’s ability to adapt to grow new neurons and connection, was suppressed in long COVID.
According to a new study, the crippling “brain fog” that millions of long-term COVID patients experience is caused by alterations in the brain, such as inflammation and a decreased capacity for self-rewiring after COVID-19 infection.
According to a report published this week by United Press International, the small-scale study, which was carried out by researchers at Michigan State University and Corewell Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan, suggests that the cause may be changed levels of two important brain chemicals.
The study is the first time that medical professionals have been able to offer scientific evidence supporting the experiences of the roughly 12 million COVID “long-haulers” in the United States. S. whose neurological symptoms have been reported.
When researchers examined biomarkers in study participants, they discovered that those who complained of brain fog had higher levels of an anti-inflammatory protein, which is essential for immune system regulation, according to UPI. Additionally, their blood levels of nerve growth factor, a protein essential to the brain’s plasticity, were lower.
The research looked at 17 COVID-19 patients, 10 of whom had symptoms six months after being infected. Brain fog, defined by Yale Medicine as “sluggish” thinking, forgetfulness, difficulty processing information, and an inability to focus or concentrate on tasks they used to complete with ease, is the most incapacitating symptom.
The ability of the brain to alter its activity in response to disease or injury is known as plasticity, according to the National Library of Medicine. One aspect of that healing process is rearranging the connections, functions, and structure of the brain.
Finding tangible evidence of the symptoms patients have described has been one of the main problems with long-term COVID. As per Dr. Bengt Arnetz, a co-author, the study has altered that.
“I think [is] a very big strength for this study,” Arnetz stated, as reported by UPI. “We found biological changes.”. “We observed that [NGF], which represents the brain’s capacity to adapt to develop new neurons and connections, was suppressed in long COVID in parallel with the effects on executive function. The neuro-cognitive test results are consistent with this. “.”.
A series of psychological tests were administered to study participants in order to administer the neuro-cognitive test. With the exception of one exam, the “letter fluency” test, the results were unremarkable.
According to Michael Lawrence, a clinical neuropsychologist and co-author of Arnetz, a fluency test assesses an individual’s ability to manage their time effectively. It asks the patient to name objects from a particular category, such as fruits or animals, or to create words that start with a given letter of the alphabet.
In addition to memory and language impairments, executive functioning impairments are indicated by errors or difficulty completing the task. The Library of Medicine states that diseases like Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease share similar impairments.
The study is beneficial, according to Lawrence, because “we now have some objective findings that really confirm what patients are describing and feeling.”. “.”.
According to him, the medical community may be able to create a multidisciplinary treatment plan for the symptoms of long-term COVID patients by using the biomarkers that have been identified.
“At least in the past few years, I believe that patients and our medical community have tended to isolate mental health from physical health. But we do know that they are all closely related to one another,” Lawrence stated. The more we can alleviate symptoms related to mental health, the fewer people report feeling tired and in pain. We must treat the patient as a whole, but we must do so quickly. “.”.
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