Cambridge study finds SARS-CoV-2 damages brain stem contributing to Long COVID issues

Medical News: A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from the University of Cambridge and Oxford has discovered that the SARS-CoV-2 virus causes damage to the brainstem, potentially leading to the persistent symptoms associated with Long COVID. The brainstem, a critical region of the brain responsible for regulating essential bodily functions, has shown abnormalities in COVID-19 survivors, which may be contributing to the physical and psychological effects many individuals are experiencing long after their initial infection.


Cambridge study finds SARS-CoV-2 damages brain stem contributing to Long COVID issues

How SARS-CoV-2 Affects the Brainstem
In this Medical News report, we will break down how the study was conducted and its significant findings. Using advanced imaging techniques, the research team found that COVID-19 survivors exhibited signs of inflammation and damage in specific regions of the brainstem. These areas are crucial for controlling breathing, fatigue, anxiety, and other essential functions. The study's results suggest that the brainstem damage caused by the virus could be directly linked to the persistent symptoms experienced by individuals suffering from Long COVID.
 
Dr. James Rowe, a senior research fellow at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Clinical Neurosciences and co-lead researcher on the study, explained that the brainstem acts as a vital connection between our conscious awareness and our body's internal processes. He emphasized that understanding how this region changes in response to COVID-19 is crucial to effectively treating the long-term effects of the virus.
 
The study found that the brainstem damage observed in Long COVID patients is likely a result of the body's immune response to the virus, rather than the virus directly infecting the brain. This conclusion was supported by post-mortem examinations of patients who died from severe COVID-19 during the early stages of the pandemic, which also revealed changes in the brainstem.
 
Advanced Imaging Sheds Light on Long COVID Symptoms
One of the key aspects of this research was the use of ultra-powerful MRI machines, known as 7-Tesla scanners. Traditional hospital MRI scanners are not capable of providing the detailed images required to detect the subtle changes in the brain associated with COVID-19. By using these advanced machines, the researchers were able to identify specific areas of the brainstem that were affected by inflammation after COVID-19 infection.
 
Dr. Catarina Rua, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Cambridge and co-lead of the study, highlighted that these abnormalities were observed in the brain regions responsible for controlling breathing, which may explain why many Long COVID patients continue to experience shortness of breath long after recovering from the initial infection. This damage was more pronounced in patients who had suffered from severe cases of COVID-19.
 
The scans also revealed abnormalities in areas of the brain linked to fatigue a nd anxiety, shedding light on why so many Long COVID sufferers report feeling constantly tired and experiencing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. According to Dr. Rowe, the immune response triggered by COVID-19 could be responsible for the inflammation and damage in these brain regions, further linking physical and mental health in the context of Long COVID.
 
The Study: Key Findings and Methods
The study recruited 30 COVID-19 survivors who had been hospitalized during their illness and scanned their brains using 7-Tesla MRI technology. These participants were examined between 93 and 548 days after their hospital admission. Their brain scans were compared to those of 51 healthy individuals who had never contracted COVID-19.
 
The researchers focused their analysis on several key areas of the brainstem, including the medulla, pons, and midbrain. These regions play a critical role in regulating various functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and sleep-wake cycles. The study found that in COVID-19 survivors, the brainstem showed increased susceptibility to inflammation and iron buildup, which are markers of neuroinflammation.
 
One of the most significant findings was the identification of two distinct clusters in the medulla portion of the brainstem that exhibited increased susceptibility in COVID-19 patients. These clusters are closely related to respiratory functions and are responsible for maintaining body homeostasis. The damage in these areas likely contributes to the respiratory symptoms commonly experienced by Long COVID patients, such as shortness of breath and chest pain.
 
In addition to respiratory functions, the study found that changes in the brainstem were associated with mental health outcomes. Patients with a higher immune response during their acute illness showed greater brainstem damage, which was linked to higher levels of depression and anxiety. This suggests that the brainstem plays a crucial role in both the physical and mental health challenges that Long COVID patients face.
 
Implications for Long COVID Treatment
The findings from this study provide crucial insights into why Long COVID symptoms persist in many individuals and how the virus may be affecting the brain. The brainstem's role in regulating both bodily functions and mental health suggests that damage to this area could be a significant factor in the long-lasting effects of COVID-19.
 
Understanding the brainstem’s involvement in Long COVID could lead to new treatment approaches. Since the damage appears to be related to the immune response triggered by the virus, therapies aimed at reducing inflammation in the brain could potentially help alleviate symptoms. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of brainstem damage and how it may evolve over time in COVID-19 survivors.
 
Conclusion
The study conducted by researchers from Cambridge and Oxford has revealed significant brainstem abnormalities in COVID-19 survivors, providing a potential explanation for the persistent symptoms experienced by Long COVID patients. By using advanced 7-Tesla MRI technology, the researchers were able to detect subtle changes in the brainstem that were not visible with traditional imaging techniques. These changes are likely the result of the body's immune response to the virus and are particularly pronounced in patients who experienced severe cases of COVID-19.
 
The study's findings suggest that the brainstem plays a key role in both the physical and psychological symptoms of Long COVID. Damage to this region may explain why many individuals continue to experience shortness of breath, fatigue, anxiety, and depression long after recovering from the initial infection. This research provides valuable insights into the long-term effects of COVID-19 and could pave the way for new treatment approaches aimed at reducing brain inflammation and improving the quality of life for Long COVID patients.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Brain.
https://academic.oup.com/brain/advance-article/doi/10.1093/brain/awae215/7811070
 
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-u-s-study-shows-that-even-mild-sars-cov-2-infections-lead-to-brain-inflammation,-brain-damage-and-also-cognitive-issues