NIH study on 7 Neuro-PASC patients (ages 42-63) found 71% of initial abnormalities, like autonomic and immunologic issues, persisted after 1 year.
Persistent signs include central catecholamine deficiency and MRI changes.
“‘…there is evidence of fragments or an inflammatory kind of a massive inflammatory response that occurs triggered by COVID. And those inflammatory markers we tend to notice in the brain.’
And that could cause something called COVID-19 Cognitive Impairment.
‘And we are going to compare people with COVID cognitive impairment. To be clear on this, I think that COVID can cause cognitive impairment and maybe even dementia…’”
Yet another stretch for one size fits all explanation of a multifaceted condition. Still, important finding:
“A groundbreaking study from the University of Colorado Boulder has uncovered a potential mechanism behind the persistent neurological symptoms experienced by many Long COVID sufferers. The research, published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, points to a significant drop in cortisol levels in the brain as a possible culprit, offering new insights into this complex and widespread condition.”
EXTREME and incomplete oversimplification of the many complex neurological issues caused by SarsCov2, but important facet of the vaguely defined “brain fog” of Long Covid and post-acute Covid lingering symptoms.
“Neurological symptoms have been widely observed in COVID-19 patients, with many survivors exhibiting persistent neurological and cognitive impairment. New research from the University of Minnesota found that COVID-19 triggers inflammation in the brain, which is linked to many COVID-related symptoms such as fatigue and ‘brain fog.’”
Long Covid brain fog occurs in approximately a third of #COVID-19 survivors and is now the THIRD leading neurologic disorder in the United States. - Dr. Igor Koralnik Northwestern Medicine study details neurologic symptoms.
SARS-CoV-2 quickly invades nerves, reaching the brain before it spreads in blood.
Blocking Neuropilin-1 greatly reduces the virus’s entry into nerve cells.
“Want to see what a “COVID Brain” can look like?
Here’s mine. The white spots are not supposed to be there. You can’t see the microhemorrhages or swelling.
Infected early March ‘20- pre-vaccine.But the threat is still here for everyone-vax or not, young or old.
Please mask up.”
“The most helpful #MECFS #LongCovid educational series out there right now is Dr. Jarred Youngers video series on "Neuroinflammation, Pain, and Fatigue".
Start at the beginning or jump in as your interest is piqued. There are now 28 shortish videos (most under 15min) and this series will provide an incredible grounding in all things neuroinflammation.
Dr. Younger is all about the 'tools' and 'interventions' and patient education and has done more to educate us about available interventions for neuroinflammation than any other researcher.”
In addition to brain fog, COVID-19 can lead to an array of problems, including headaches, seizure disorders, strokes, sleep problems, and tingling and paralysis of the nerves, as well as several mental health disorders. A large and growing body of evidence amassed throughout the pandemic details the many ways that COVID-19 leaves an indelible mark on the brain. But the specific pathways by which the virus does so are still being elucidated, and curative treatments are nonexistent.
From paired MRI imaging in >1,300 people: the pandemic accelerated brain aging. "Accelerated brain ageing correlated with reduced cognitive performance only in COVID-infected participants."
