Study: Long COVID ‘Brain Fog’ Linked to Inflammation, Stress Markers
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.
United Press International reported this week that the small-scale study, conducted by researchers at Corewell Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Michigan State University, shows that altered levels of a pair of key brain chemicals could be the culprit.
The study marks the first time doctors have been able to provide scientific proof that validates the experiences of the approximately 12 million COVID “long-haulers” in the U.S. who have reported neurological symptoms.
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. They also showed lower serum levels of nerve growth factor, a protein vital to the brain’s plasticity.
The study examined 17 COVID-19 patients, including 10 who still experienced symptoms six months after contracting the virus. 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. (Read more from “Study: Long COVID ‘Brain Fog’ Linked to Inflammation, Stress Markers” HERE)
