Scientists say they might've finally discovered cause of long Covid... and terrifying link to dementia
People struck by debilitating long Covid have unique changes to their brains which makes it harder to think and speak.
A new study found they have fewer protective proteins in their brains and higher levels of inflammation, both of which are linked to dementia.
Long Covid patients also perform worse in language tests, such as finding the right word or understanding what certain words mean, which can be signs of brain fog.
The study suggests, for the first time, that damage to the brain, rather than a ramped up immune system, causes the symptoms of long Covid.
Though the study included just 17 people, the researchers plan to use the findings to launch larger-scale studies to find the causes of Long Covid.
Dr Michael Lawrence, lead study author and neuropsychologist at Corewell Health in Michigan, said: 'To our knowledge, this is the first controlled study that shows specific self-reported neurocognitive and central nervous systems changes in long COVID patients which validates the symptoms they've been experiencing.'
Long Covid is an amorphous condition made up of a constellation of symptoms from brain fog and fatigue to heart inflammation and joint pain.
An estimated 17 million Americans have it.
Some people may only experience shortness of breath and fatigue, while others may only experience brain fog and difficulty concentrating.
Because of this, diagnosing long Covid is challenging.
The study, published in the journal PLOS One, looked at 17 patients aged 25 to 60 who were previously infected with Covid at least six months prior.
The participants included 10 people diagnosed with Long Covid and seven who healthy controls.
All but one patient were female, and the average age was 42.
Participants completed interviews about their lingering symptoms, which could have included brain fog, memory issues, fatigue, anxiety or depression.
Researchers also performed cognitive tests to evaluate processing speed, language, learning and memory, problem solving, multitasking and concentration.
The researchers also drew blood samples from each participant to test elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol and inflammation.
The experts found Long Covid patients had 33 percent lower levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) in their brains, a protein that helps maintain neurons in the brain and central nervous system.
Low NGF levels have been associated with neurocognitive conditions like Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis.
Long Covid patients also had 50 percent more interleukin 10, a protein that helps regulate inflammation and immune responses in the body.
Though interleukin 10 normally controls inflammation, high levels can have the opposite effect and create more inflammation in the central nervous system.
Nine in 10 participants in the Long Covid group had elevated inflammatory markers like interleukin 10 compared to one of out the seven healthy controls.
Additionally, Long Covid patients scored 30 percent lower on tests of language processing, suggesting Long Covid triggers inflammation in the brain's language centers.
The team also found Long Covid patients were 75 percent more likely than healthy patients to suffer a worsened quality of life overall. They also had a 61 percent increased risk of suffering general pain or discomfort.
The findings suggest Long Covid symptoms are caused by increased inflammatory markers in the brain and lower levels of NGF, which would normally protect neurons and reduce inflammation.
This increased inflammation may damage parts of the brain responsible for language processing, as well as those that regulate pain and depression.
Dr Lawrence said: 'Additional services such as speech therapy, psychotherapy for stress reduction and incorporating medications that target fatigue and mental fogginess could all be elements of creating a successful treatment plan as well.'
The team noted while the study is small and has several limitations, including most participants being female and white, they hope to conduct larger studies to confirm the findings.
Dr Judith Arnetz, corresponding study author and professor emerita at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, said: 'Although this is a small study and more work needs to be done, from a clinical application standpoint, physicians potentially can identify individuals who are struggling sooner and provide wrap-around care that could be helpful to them.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
1.7 million eggs recalled over Salmonella fears
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the recall of 1.7 million eggs due to potential Salmonella contamination. California-based August Egg Company of Hilmar is initiating the recall of brown cage-free and brown certified organic eggs distributed in nine states. The eggs were distributed from February 3 through May 15 in California and Nevada, and from February 3 through May 6 to Walmart locations in California, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, Indiana, and Illinois. Recalled eggs have plant code numbers P-6562 or CA5330 and Julian Dates between 32 and 126 printed on the carton. Salmonella infection can cause fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and bloody diarrhea, and can be serious or fatal in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Video shows dolphin calf birth and first breath at Chicago zoo. Mom's friend helped
A bottlenose dolphin at a Chicago zoo gave birth to a calf early Saturday morning with the help of a fellow mom, in a successful birth recorded on video by zoo staff. The dolphin calf was born at Brookfield Zoo Chicago early Saturday morning as a team of veterinarians monitored and cheered on the mom, a 38-year-old bottlenose dolphin named Allie. 'Push, push, push,' one observer can be heard shouting in video released by the zoo Saturday, as Allie swims around the tank, the calf's little tail fins poking out below her own. Then the calf wriggles free and instinctively darts to the surface of the pool for its first breath. Also in the tank was an experienced mother dolphin named Tapeko, 43, who stayed close to Allie through her more than one hour of labor. In the video, she can be seen following the calf as it heads to the surface, and staying with it as it takes that first breath. It is natural for dolphins to look out for each other during a birth, zoo staff said. 'That's very common both in free-ranging settings but also in aquaria,' said Brookfield Zoo Chicago Senior Veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Langan in a video statement. 'It provides the mom extra protection and a little bit of extra help to help get the calf to the surface to help it breath in those couple minutes where she's still having really strong contractions.' In a written statement, zoo officials said early signs indicate that the calf is in good health. They estimate it weighs around 35 pounds (16 kilograms) and stretches nearly four feet in length (115-120 centimeters). That is about the weight and length of an adult golden retriever dog. The zoo's Seven Seas exhibit will be closed as the calf bonds with its mother and acclimates with other dolphins in its group. As part of that bonding, the calf has already learned to slipstream, or draft alongside its mother so that it doesn't have to work as hard to move. Veterinarians will monitor progress in nursing, swimming and other milestones particularly closely over the next 30 days. The calf will eventually take a paternity test to see which of the male dolphins at the zoo is its father. Zoo officials say they will name the calf later this summer.
The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
Salmonella outbreak tied to eggs sickens dozens across 7 states
A salmonella outbreak linked to a large egg recall has made dozens of people sick in seven states in the West and Midwest, federal health officials said Saturday. The August Egg Company recalled about 1.7 million brown organic and brown cage-free egg varieties distributed to grocery stores between February and May because of the potential for salmonella, according to a posted announcement Friday on the Food and Drug Administration's website. At least 79 people in seven states have gotten a strain of salmonella that was linked to the eggs, and 21 people have been hospitalized. the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The recall covers Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington and Wyoming. A list of brands and plant codes or Julian dates can be found on the FDA and CDC websites. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, fever, severe vomiting, dehydration and stomach cramps. Most people who get sick recover within a week. Infections can be severe in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, who may require hospitalization. The CDC advises people to throw away recalled eggs or return them to the store where they were purchased. Consumers should also wash and disinfect any surfaces that came in contact with the eggs. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
