Brain (brain) atrophy refers to the loss of brain tissue, adding neurons and the connections between them. “Brain shrinkage” also falls into brain atrophy. It can be applied to the whole brain or only to certain sections.
Causes of shrinkage include:
Research is underway to determine if COVID-19 is an infectious disease that can shrink the brain.
In this article, we’ll go over what studies have found so far about the effects of COVID-19 on the brain.
For reasons still unknown, some other people who develop a COVID-19 infection may experience symptoms for several weeks, months, or years after recovering.
These post-COVID situations are called “prolonged COVID. “It occurs in others who have recently had COVID-19 and have new, recurrent, or persistent symptoms four weeks or more after the onset of infection.
Brain shrinkage is one of the situations that can result from a long COVID. It caught the attention of researchers.
For example, a 2022 study used two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans on 785 participants. Researchers discovered brain changes in the 401 cases who tested positive for COVID-19 between scans. Settings include:
The study also found that the same participants who had brain shrinkage were at higher risk for cognitive decline. There was more damaged tissue in the areas of the brain that smelled.
Possible explanations for brain shrinkage related to COVID-19 infection come with inflammation or direct viral infection of brain cells. But it’s important to note that most of the information predates the availability of COVID-19 vaccines.
Another study also used MRI techniques to assess the brains of people who experienced COVID-19 infection. Here, researchers found damage to the brain’s tiny blood vessels.
Due to the small duration of the study and other limitations, researchers can only draw corporate conclusions about how COVID-19 affects the brain.
Many studies have linked COVID-19 to blood clots. This link could be similar to damage to blood vessels in the brain. The possibility of blood clots in the brain also increases the risk of stroke after a COVID-19 infection.
Another has shown that SARS-CoV-2 virus proteins can be poisonous to neurons in your brain.
A 2022 study also looked at brain damage in patients who died of COVID-19-like headaches in the first wave of the pandemic (March to July 2020). The researchers found evidence of protein leakage and damage to neurons in brain autopsies.
They also advised that doctors pay more attention to brain adjustments in other people who become infected with COVID-19 and complain of cognitive symptoms that may just be symptoms of prolonged COVID.
The effects of COVID-19 on the brain may have the following symptoms:
How well you do for brain atrophy depends on the underlying cause. For example, dementias like Alzheimer’s tend to get worse over time. In some cases, serious illnesses and brain diseases can affect your quality of life and even shorten your life expectancy.
But experts don’t yet know if the brain effects of COVID-19, other than brain shrinkage, are permanent.
Some studies indicate that innovations in the brain work within six months of COVID-19 infection. But more studies are needed to determine if this is a typical result.
The most productive way to avoid COVID-19 infection is to get vaccinated. It is also more productive to stick to your vaccination schedule.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting vaccinated can also help you against long-lasting COVID and its effects, adding a brain shrinkage. conditions. People who are vaccinated have a lower risk of severe illness from the virus.
The CDC also notes that it’s still imaginable to spread prolonged COVID even if you get vaccinated or don’t get seriously ill. Still, vaccination turns out to be the most productive way to save you from the effects of prolonged COVID.
In addition to protecting yourself from COVID-19 infection, you can adopt brain-healthy methods that can prevent brain atrophy in general. Experts suggest:
Vaccination is the most effective way to protect against long COVID. But if you’re unvaccinated and spread a COVID-19 infection, you’ll have to wait until you’re cured before you can get vaccinated. Until then, consult to decrease the threat of serious illness.
Try to get plenty of rest. Talk to a doctor about your infection so you can get the medical care you need. See a doctor if you begin to experience shortness of breath or other symptoms of concern.
Brain shrinkage, which is linked to brain atrophy, is an imaginable long-term effect of COVID-19 infection. Researchers continue to explore the effects of COVID-19 on the brain.
If you have a COVID-19 infection, it doesn’t mean enjoying the brain effects. Still, protecting yourself from the SARS-CoV-2 virus can help you avoid those long-term effects. Vaccination is the most productive way to avoid infection. .
Currently, there is no test to identify prolonged COVID. But if you experience cognitive symptoms four weeks after your initial COVID-19 infection, talk to a doctor to discuss treatment and management options.
Last exam on 10 October 2022
Our experts monitor the fitness and wellness area, and we update our articles as new data becomes available.
Current version
October 10, 2022
By
Kristen Cherney, PhD
Edited by
AL Heywood
Medically proven by
Dr. Heidi Moawad
Copy edited by
Stassi Myer-CE
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