Infection with the epidemic doesn't just cause "brain fog"! Oxford study: Brain size shrinks, memory deteriorates
Are decreased concentration and memory a precursor to diagnosis? Has “brain fog” been listed as a long-term symptom of COVID-19?
Inability to concentrate, poor memory, and even depression for no reason. Are these possible sequelae of COVID-19? The British National Health Service (NHS) has clearly listed the phenomenon of “brain fog” as one of the symptoms of long-term COVID-19. Although brain fog is not a disease, it can cause slow thinking, mental fatigue, confusion, etc. .
As for whether the new variant “Omicron” can also cause brain fog, no large-scale studies have yet confirmed it. However, the authoritative journal “Nature” reported that the British mutant strain “Alpha” may indeed shrink the brain, affect the gray and white matter in the brain, and damage the area that controls the sense of smell, leading to brain fog.
Oxford’s “Three Major Longitudinal Studies” Confirm that COVID-19 Shrinks Brain Structure by 2%
The study was led by the University of Oxford in the UK. The research team tracked 2 brain changes in 785 subjects in the UK Biobank. Among them, 401 subjects detected the new coronavirus variant between the 2 scans. Positive reaction to virus Alpha.
After comparing the brain imaging of the two groups of humans and horses, three significant longitudinal effects were found, including: the orbitofrontal cortex (an important area for human decision-making and cognition) and the parahippocampal gyrus (the gray matter surrounding the hippocampus). Area) tissue was significantly reduced, tissue damage occurred in areas related to the “olfactory cortex”, and the overall brain structure became smaller, shrinking by an average of 0.2-2%. Those diagnosed also showed greater cognitive decline.
Oxford University speculates that the new coronavirus is transmitted into the human body through the olfactory pathway, triggering an inflammatory response in the nervous system and damaging brain function. Importantly, even in those diagnosed with mild symptoms, attention deficit and reduced executive function still exist. The University of Oxford said that further research is needed to investigate whether the harmful effects of the virus on the brain are reversible or will persist.
Do vaccines help the phenomenon of “brain fog”? Experts: Long-term COVID-19 symptoms reduced by 50%
Now it seems that COVID-19 may indeed cause brain shrinkage, affect emotional control, and damage the gray matter structure responsible for storing memories. Brain fog may be one of the side effects of viral infection. Some subjects suffer from inattention, slow information processing, impaired memory, and excessive mood swings.
Will vaccination reduce brain fog symptoms after infection? The University of Oxford did not provide relevant explanations in the study, but Dr. Mary Ramsay, head of immunization at the UK Health and Safety Agency (UKHSA), publicly pointed out that the possibility of long-term symptoms of new coronavirus pneumonia will be reduced after receiving two doses of the Pfizer-BNT, AZ and Moderna vaccines. Reduced by 50%.
Even if the vaccine provides protection, the probability of Omicron virus causing “breakthrough infection” is still high. By then, whether Omicron will make it difficult to recover from the sequelae of diagnosed patients, lead to more severe brain fog, or other cardiovascular damage that is difficult to reverse, is still unknown from the current data. The best thing to do is to wear a mask and get vaccinated to reduce the risk of diagnosis and severe illness. Don’t ignore epidemic prevention because you think the virus is less virulent.
source:
COVID-19 can cause brain shrinkage, memory loss - study
SARS-CoV-2 is associated with changes in brain structure in UK Biobank
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