Are you dealing with Long COVID-related hearing loss, depression, or cognitive impairment? The medical community has struggled to grasp the mysteries of this syndrome and its effect on the brain. Fortunately, new studies are revealing pieces of the puzzle. Learn about new discoveries in brain-related Long COVID research and what they can mean for you.* 

Why did initial COVID researchers believe the brain was unaffected?

Early in the pandemic, investigators studied deceased patients’ bodies to learn more about the virus. They did not discover any brain changes during these initial findings, which mistakenly convinced them that the virus mainly affects the lungs and heart. Moreover, “brain fog” was not identified until later in the pandemic. This caused many initial studies to not look at brain-related problems as part of Long COVID. 

What is research revealing now?

Multiple recent studies are uncovering how the brain is being affected, and what’s causing the symptoms. Viral damage to various parts of the brain has led to such symptoms as: 

• Anxiety
• Depression and other mood disorders
• Memory loss
• Cognitive impairment
• Psychosis
• Seizures

Physiological impacts found by the studies include:

• Reduction in brain size or volume
• Damage to cells that affect blood flow and impair the protective blood-brain barrier 
• Damage to cells that communicate directly with the brain 

Other researchers have found Long COVID patients’ symptoms to be similar to those of people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, or to the type of brain injury seen in cancer patients after chemotherapy. 

Moving forward

The good news is that, in at least some patients, there may not be permanent or progressive brain damage. Clinical trials have shown cancer patients with newly acquired dementia-like symptoms to become mentally sharp after several months of exercising their brain with computer programs, word puzzles, and number games. 

As research continues to teach us about Long COVID-related brain injuries and treatments, it is important to remain hopeful. Work with a physician who will listen, validate your experience, and help you find answers. The recovery process looks different for each person, and compassion from providers, family, friends, and yourself can also help with healing. 

*Ely, W. (2022, August 25). How Long Covid reshapes the brain – and how we might treat it. The Washington Post. Retrieved September 11, 2022, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/08/25/long-covid-brain-science-fog-recovery/