Post Covid Brain Damage

 

Those of us who have so far been fortunate to escape Covid should be feeling blessed; some survivors have brain damage affecting thought, including language. The effect is more serious than an altered sense of smell that fades with time. Whether you are a student, a teacher or anyone else concerned about their health and general performance at work or in society, make sure you don’t catch the virus. Continue to take precautions. Although the virus itself does not appear to enter the brain, it affects nerves leading to it, blood vessels feeding it, the master gland playing a role in stress, and possibly the immune system, producing toxic substances that can reduce brain function.

Apparently, the “brain fog” associated with Covid is usually temporary, but with some people it drags on for extended periods. Brain scans are showing brain damage, including some overall brain shrinkage, even in asymptomatic or mild Covid cases, not just in cases that were hospitalized. Studies have reported that despite the brain’s plasticity, even young adults who survived mild Covid are struggling 6 to 9 months later with certain cognitive functions such as episodic memory and sustained attention on challenging tasks.

As far back as 2020, the journal Brain had reported on the possibility of severe brain damage in mild cases. The “transient encephalopathy”, including delirium, psychosis, and paralysis emanated from strokes and nervous issues.

In March 2022, the journal Nature reported on a huge study showing brain atrophy and damage in the grey matter of Covid patients. Monitoring is needed to watch how long the damage lasts. Apparently, the part of the brain affected the most plays an important role in emotional behaviour, learning and memory. Students beware, catching Covid may affect your learning, your grades, your future. Avoid it like the plague!