Posted by Fatima Khalil
Thursday, February 23, 2023 05:00 AM
A new study revealed that infection with BCorona Virus The structure and function of the brain may change, and Brazilian researchers said that people who suffer from anxiety and depression months after a mild infection with the Corona virus may have changes that affect the structure and function of their brains, according to the “Health” website.
“There is still a lot to learn about the long-term coronavirus, which includes a wide range of health issues, including anxiety and depression, months after infection,” said Dr. Clarissa Yasuda of the University of Campinas in Sao Paulo.
She added, “Our findings are concerning, as even people with a mild case of Corona show changes in their brains after months, and more studies are needed to identify treatments in hopes of preventing any long-term effects on people’s quality of life.”
To understand this, the researchers studied 254 people with mild COVID-19 infection. On average, the patients were 41 years old and had COVID-19 three months earlier. Each participant completed tests for anxiety or symptoms of depression and underwent a brain scan.
The researchers found that 102 people showed symptoms of anxiety and depression, while 152 people did not.
The researchers then found evidence of shrinkage of the brain’s gray matter. The scans were compared with those of 148 people who did not have COVID-19.
Those who had corona and were experiencing anxiety and depression experienced shrinkage in the limbic region of the brain, which is involved in memory and emotional processing.
The study authors said that those who did not show symptoms of anxiety and depression after Corona did not have brain shrinkage.
Using a special type of software to analyze networks with resting brain activity, the researchers also looked at brain function and changes in connectivity between brain regions.
They did this in 84 people from the asymptomatic group; 70 people from the anxiety and depression group; And 90 people did not have Corona. The researchers found widespread functional changes in each of the 12 networks they tested in the group with symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Changes also occurred in the asymptomatic Corona group, but in five networks instead of 12 networks.
Yasuda said in a news release from the American Academy of Neurology. “The magnitude of these changes indicates that they can lead to problems with memory and thinking skills, so we need to explore comprehensive treatments even for people who are slightly affected by Corona.”