COVID-19 infection may alter brain microstructure even in people who fully recover
PsyPost • • health
Key Points:
- New research using advanced MRI techniques reveals that SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause lasting brain changes, even in individuals who feel fully recovered, distinguishing those with Long COVID from recovered and never-infected groups.
- The study found alterations in myelin content, tissue integrity, and neurochemical levels, with Long COVID patients showing brain changes linked to fatigue, cognitive impairment, and physical dysfunction, particularly in regions controlling motor function, memory, and vital bodily functions.
- Even recovered individuals without symptoms exhibited brain alterations, suggesting the virus may leave a lasting neurological footprint and trigger compensatory brain changes.
- The research, conducted on 47 participants, highlights correlations between brain imaging markers and symptom severity but is limited by its cross-sectional design, small sample size,
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