The Neural Damages Caused by COVID-19

COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2 (SARS-COV-2) is often characterised as a respiratory disease. However, it is increasingly being understood as an infection that impacts multiple symptoms and many patients also report neurological symptoms.

Indeed there is accumulating evidence for neural damage in some individuals. Recent studies suggest the loss of grey matter in multiple regions, particularly in the left hemisphere due to Covid-19. There are several mechanisms by which the COVID-19 infection may lead to neurological symptoms.Structural and functional changes in the brain and cognitive problems are one of the most commonly reported symptoms in those experiencing in long COVID-the chronic illness following the COVID-19 infection that affects 10-25% of the patients.Even people who don't notice signs of cognitive impairment can have problems with memory and attention after recovering from a mild case of COVID-19.

Among people who were hospitalised for COVID , a wide range of problems with cognition have been reported. These include difficulties with attention,memory and executive functions,more complex skills such as planning, focus, attention, remembering instructions and juggling multiple tasks.

Furthermore,The researchers notice an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease among those infected with the virus. Again these people are also likely to suffer from Ischemic stroke which strikes when a blood clot, or other blockage, cuts off the blood supply to the brain.

Overall, compared to the uninfected people who had COVID-19 were 80% more likely to suffer from epilepsy,43% more likely to develop mental health disorders like anxiety and depression, 35% more likely to experience mild to severe headache and 12% more likely to encounter movement disorders.

Thus,long COVID may leave a mild to severe effect on the brain and other systems.

References:

Principles of Neural Science,6th edition,Eric R Kandel