brain Changes Linked to ‘Long Covid’ Cognitive Issues, Study Finds
Paris, France – scientists have identified a measurable biological change in the brains of people experiencing “brain fog” following a COVID-19 infection, offering the first objective evidence the debilitating symptom isn’t psychosomatic.A new study published this week reveals a widespread increase in AMPA receptor density in the brains of long Covid patients,correlating wiht the severity of their cognitive impairments.
The research, conducted by a team led by Professor Takuya takahashi, compared 30 patients with long Covid to a control group of 80 healthy individuals. Results showed a direct link between higher AMPA receptor density – receptors that regulate communication between neurons - and more pronounced cognitive difficulties. The study also suggests the increase is connected to markers of inflammation, indicating the body’s immune response to the initial infection might potentially be disrupting brain chemistry.
“Our results confirm that this disorder is not psychosomatic and that there is indeed a specific molecular signature,” Professor Takahashi stated. The discovery opens potential avenues for therapeutic intervention, with drugs designed to regulate AMPA receptor activity potentially improving cognitive function.
beyond a potential treatment target, the imaging technique used in the study demonstrated a 91% accuracy rate in distinguishing long Covid patients from healthy individuals, raising the possibility of a future, reliable diagnostic test based on a simple brain scan. While researchers emphasize the need for larger-scale clinical trials to validate these findings, understand the longevity of these brain changes, and test targeted treatments, the study represents a significant step forward in recognizing and addressing the neurological consequences of long Covid. For the first time, patients experiencing persistent cognitive issues after a Covid-19 infection have objective evidence supporting their experience.
