COVID-19 most commonly damages the patient’s respiratory system. However, there is growing evidence that the coronavirus causes serious and permanent damage to the brain. A study by the US National Institute of Health found that up to half of COVID-19 sufferers may develop neurological disorders as a result. We remind you of one of the most popular texts on Onet in January.
- Scientists examined the brains of 19 patients who died from COVID-19. The deceased were between the ages of 5 and 73, many of them had comorbidities
- In half, brain injuries were found, including on bursting blood vessels and bleeding
- However, doctors are not sure whether the virus is directly damaging the brain or whether the changes are the result of a defense reaction
- You can find more up-to-date information on the TvoiLokony home page
COVID-19 causes severe damage to the brain
COVID-19 most often attacks the respiratory system, has an adverse effect on the heart and gastrointestinal tract, and also disturbs blood clotting. During an autopsy, scientists are also discovering more and more cases of severe brain damage. The fact that the brain is exposed to the coronavirus is also evidenced by many neurological symptoms in patients, such as headaches and dizziness, memory loss, hallucinations and stroke.
Recent studies have shown that up to 50 percent of people hospitalized for COVID-19 may have neurological symptoms.
Scientists from the National Institute of Health conducted a brain study of 19 patients who died. Patients ranged in age from 5 to 73 years, many of them had comorbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Brain injuries were found in 10 cases.
– We were totally surprised. Previously, we thought the brain damage was caused by a lack of oxygen. Then we discovered multifocal areas of damage that are typically associated with strokes and neurodegenerative diseases, said Dr Avindra Nath of the NIH.
COVID-19 and the brain’s defense response
Using magnetic resonance imaging, the team examined the brains of 10 patients with the abnormalities. The study revealed hyperintensity – bright spots in an image of the brain – in which fluorescence microscopy showed an increased presence of fibrinogen.
In many of the patients studied, these patches were surrounded by T cells and microglia, the cells in the brain responsible for the immune response, and the researchers also noticed dark areas of previous bleeding. “Blood vessels in the brain are ruptured,” said Nath. The numerous minor bleeding into the brain is damage related to the inflammation of this organ.
“Until now, it is difficult to conclude that the brain damage is directly caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” said Nath. In his opinion, the changes could be caused by an inflammatory reaction of the body to the virus. Due to the small number of examined cases, it is still difficult to make unambiguous conclusions. Nevertheless, their findings are consistent with EEG tests that revealed encephalopathy in COVID-19 patients – abnormalities in brain activity indicative of swelling and inflammation.
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