Recent research from the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) has revealed the findings of brain changes. Using a specialized MRI machine to measure the long-term effects of COVID-19, it found changes in the brainstem and frontal lobe. that may appear six months after a patient becomes infected with COVID-19
Dr. Sarpana S. Mishra One of the team said the researchers used sensitivity-weighted imaging to measure the impact of COVID-19 on the brain. Researchers looked at data from 46 recovered COVID-19 patients and 30 normal control patients. by scanning the brain and found that there was an abnormality This may be part of the symptoms of brain fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, depression, headaches, and cognitive problems experienced by patients recovering from COVID-19. Some had to face it in the months following their recovery. that is expected to be caused by concussion in the brain
“This study The researchers used sensitivity-weighted imaging to analyze the impact COVID-19 has on the brain. Magnetic susceptibility indicates that certain materials, such as blood, iron and calcium, are magnetized in weaker magnetic fields. How much,” said Mishra, adding that A similar brain scan method It is the same method used by neurologists to detect and monitor neurological conditions. cerebral hemorrhage abnormalities of blood vessels Brain Tumors and Stroke
findings from the study published by RSNA also stated that Previous cohort studies have not focused on COVID-19 changes in the brain’s magnetic susceptibility. While this study focuses on new aspects of the neurological effects of COVID-19 and reports significant abnormalities in COVID survivors.
“Changes in brain region sensitivity may indicate changes in local composition.” Sensitivity may reflect the presence of abnormal amounts of paramagnetic compounds. While the lower sensitivity could be due to abnormalities such as calcification or the absence of iron-containing paramagnetic molecules,” one of the researchers explained.
Dr. Mishra also said that The MRI results showed that Patients recovering from COVID-19 The prefrontal cortex and brainstem sensitivity were significantly higher than the normal control group. Clusters obtained from the frontal lobe show differences mainly in white matter. which the brain region Associated with fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, depression, headaches and cognitive problems.
The researchers also found significant differences in the diencephalon region of the right ventricle of the brainstem. This area is involved in many important bodily functions. including coordinating with the endocrine system to release hormones transmits sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex and regulates the circadian rhythm, or sleep-wake cycle.
“This study sheds light on potentially serious long-term complications caused by the coronavirus. “The current findings are from a small temporary window, but they are expected in the long term, about two to three years, if more studies are done,” Mishra said. It can be explained more clearly if there are permanent changes. The researchers are conducting a longitudinal study in the same patient population to determine whether these brain abnormalities persist over a longer time frame.
The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information that there are many symptoms of Long COVID. Both symptoms similar to those of COVID-19 and symptoms that seem unrelated at all The common symptoms include fatigue, tiredness, and shortness of breath. shortness of breath, shortness of breath, palpitations, tightness or discomfort in the chest, short-term memory, short attention span, or feeling brain fatigued, fever, cough, headache, sore throat, decreased taste or smell Pain in the joints, insomnia, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, rash on the body. And may also be associated with depression or anxiety.