A new study using the latest scanning technology has focused on the impact of COVID-19 on brain health, specifically looking at changes in the brainstem. The brainstem is responsible for controlling vital functions like breathing and heart rate. The study found distinct abnormalities in the brainstem of people who were hospitalized with severe COVID-19. These changes were more pronounced in individuals who experienced more severe disease, indicating a link between brainstem damage and COVID-19 symptoms.
The research used ultra-high field (7T) quantitative susceptibility mapping, a powerful scanning technology that allows researchers to detect microscopic changes in the brainstem. The study compared brain scans of 30 individuals who had been hospitalized with severe COVID-19 to scans of 51 age-matched individuals who did not have a SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results showed abnormalities in major regions of the brainstem associated with brain inflammation, particularly in the region responsible for controlling breathing.
The study suggests that long-lasting COVID-19 symptoms, such as fatigue, breathlessness, and cognitive issues, may be a result of inflammation in the brainstem following infection with the virus. The severity of brainstem abnormalities was linked to the levels of inflammation experienced during COVID-19, with those who had more severe disease showing more pronounced changes in the brain. However, the study also noted that in most cases, there was no evidence of direct viral infection in the central nervous system.
While the study provides valuable insights into the impact of COVID-19 on brain health, it has limitations. The small sample size and the fact that brain scans were taken at a single point in time are noted as potential challenges. Further research is needed to determine if brainstem abnormalities persist over time and to explore potential ways to prevent or repair the damage caused by COVID-19. The researchers are continuing their investigation and analyzing additional MRI data collected from participants in the study’s post-hospitalization recovery phase.
Overall, the study highlights the importance of investigating the long-term effects of COVID-19 on brain health and identifies the brainstem as a key region impacted by the virus. The use of advanced scanning technology has allowed researchers to detect subtle changes in the brainstem that may help explain why some individuals experience ongoing symptoms after COVID-19 infection. The findings could also contribute to a better understanding of other neurological conditions involving inflammation in the brainstem, such as multiple sclerosis.
