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“Long Covid” affects the brainstem

Recent research from the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) has revealed the results of brain changes. Using a specialized MRI machine to measure the long-term effects of COVID-19, he found changes in the brainstem and frontal lobe. which can appear six months after a patient is infected with COVID-19

Dr. Sarpana S. Mishra One of the team said the researchers used sensitivity-weighted imaging to measure the impact of COVID-19 on the brain. The researchers looked at data from 46 recovered COVID-19 patients and 30 normal control patients. an abnormality. This can be part of the symptoms of brain fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, depression, headaches and cognitive problems experienced by patients recovering from COVID-19. Some have had to deal with it in the months following their recovery. which should be caused by a concussion

“This study Researchers used sensitivity-weighted imaging to analyze the impact COVID-19 has on the brain. Magnetic susceptibility indicates that some materials, such as blood, iron and calcium, are magnetized in weaker magnetic fields .How much,” Mishra said, adding that A similar brain scanning method is the same method neurologists use to detect and monitor neurological conditions. bleeding in the brain blood vessel abnormalities Brain tumors and strokes

The study results published by RSNA also stated that previous cohort studies have not focused on COVID-19’s changes in the brain’s magnetic susceptibility. While this study focuses on novel aspects of the neurological effects of COVID-19 and reports significant abnormalities in COVID survivors.

“Changes in brain region sensitivity may indicate changes in local composition.” Sensitivity may reflect the presence of abnormal amounts of paramagnetic compounds. While the lower sensitivity could be due to anomalies such as calcification or the absence of iron-containing paramagnetic molecules,” explained one of the researchers.

Dr. Mishra also said that MRI results showed that Patients recovered from COVID-19 The prefrontal cortex and brainstem sensitivity were significantly higher than the normal control group. The clusters obtained from the frontal lobe show differences mainly in the white matter. that the region of the brain associated with fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, depression, headaches and cognitive problems.

The researchers also found significant differences in the diencephalon region of the right ventricle of the brainstem. This area is involved in many important bodily functions. including coordination with the endocrine system for the release of hormones, it transmits sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex and regulates the circadian rhythm, or sleep-wake cycle.

“This study sheds light on potentially serious long-term complications caused by the coronavirus. “The current results are from a small temporary window, but are expected in the longer term, about two to three years, if more studies are done,” Mishra said. It can be explained more clearly if there are permanent changes. The researchers are conducting a longitudinal study in the same patient population to determine whether these brain abnormalities persist over a longer period of time.

The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information that there are many symptoms of Long COVID. Both symptoms are similar to those of COVID-19. and symptoms that seem unrelated at all. Common symptoms include fatigue, tiredness, and shortness of breath. shortness of breath, shortness of breath, palpitations, tightness or discomfort in the chest, short-term memory, shortened attention span or feeling of tired brain, fever, cough, headache, sore throat, decreased taste or smell Joint pain, insomnia, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, body rash. And it can also be associated with depression or anxiety.

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