The Devastating Impact of Severe Covid-19 on the Brain: A Deep Dive
Damage to the brainstem — the brain’s ‘control centre’ — is behind long-lasting physical and psychiatric effects of severe Covid-19 infection, a study suggests.
Have you ever wondered how Covid-19 affects the brain? A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford has shed light on the damaging effects Covid-19 can have on the brain, specifically on the brainstem – the region associated with breathlessness, fatigue, and anxiety.
Using ultra-high-resolution scanners known as 7-Tesla or 7T scanners, the researchers were able to observe inflammation in the brainstem of 30 individuals who had been hospitalized with severe Covid-19 early in the pandemic, before vaccines were available. The findings, published in the journal Brain, offer valuable insights into the long-term effects of Covid-19 on the brain and the body as a whole.
The brainstem, a vital part of the central nervous system, controls essential bodily functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. However, due to its microscopic size and complex location, studying the brainstem in living individuals has been a challenge until now.
Lead author Dr. Catarina Rua explained, “The brainstem plays a crucial role in maintaining our quality of life, yet it has been challenging to examine it in living individuals. Thanks to advanced imaging technology, we can now visualize and understand how Covid-19 impacts the brainstem in real-time.”
Professor James Rowe, who co-led the research, added, “The brainstem serves as the bridge between our conscious mind and bodily functions. By uncovering the changes in the brainstem caused by Covid-19, we can develop more effective treatments for the long-lasting effects of the virus.”
Previous post-mortem studies of Covid-19 patients had revealed inflammation in the brainstem, suggesting that the immune response triggered by the virus could lead to lasting brain alterations. However, only through the use of 7T scanners were the researchers able to detect these changes in living patients.
The study also found abnormalities in key brainstem nuclei responsible for controlling breathing, which may explain the persistent symptoms of fatigue and breathlessness reported by many Covid-19 survivors. Furthermore, the researchers observed higher levels of depression and anxiety in individuals with a more pronounced immune response, highlighting the intricate link between physical and mental health.
Importantly, the findings from this study could provide valuable insights into other conditions associated with brainstem inflammation, such as multiple sclerosis and dementia. The use of 7T scanners may also enhance the monitoring of treatment outcomes for various brain diseases.
Dr. Rua expressed her admiration for the collaborative effort that made this research possible, emphasizing the importance of teamwork during challenging times. The study received support from the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, and the University of Oxford COVID Medical Sciences Division Rapid Response Fund.
If you’re interested in delving deeper into the impact of severe Covid-19 on the brain, this article provides a comprehensive overview of the groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford. By utilizing ultra-high-resolution scanners, the researchers were able to observe inflammation in the brainstem of individuals who had been hospitalized with severe Covid-19 early in the pandemic, offering valuable insights into the long-term effects of the virus on the brain and body.
The brainstem, often referred to as the brain’s ‘control centre,’ plays a crucial role in regulating essential bodily functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Despite its significance, studying the brainstem in living individuals has been a challenge due to its tiny size and complex location. However, with the advancement of imaging technology, researchers can now visualize and understand how Covid-19 impacts the brainstem in real-time.
Lead author Dr. Catarina Rua highlighted the importance of examining the brainstem, stating, “The brainstem is vital for our quality of life, but studying it in living individuals has been difficult. Thanks to advanced imaging technology, we can now observe and comprehend how Covid-19 affects the brainstem.”
Professor James Rowe, who co-led the research, emphasized the significance of understanding the changes in the brainstem caused by Covid-19, stating, “By uncovering the effects of Covid-19 on the brainstem, we can develop more effective treatments for the long-lasting impacts of the virus.”
By analyzing the brainstems of individuals who had been hospitalized with severe Covid-19, the researchers found abnormalities in key brainstem nuclei responsible for controlling breathing. These abnormalities may explain the persistent symptoms of fatigue and breathlessness reported by many Covid-19 survivors. Additionally, higher levels of depression and anxiety were observed in individuals with a more pronounced immune response, underscoring the connection between physical and mental health.
The findings from this study could offer valuable insights into other conditions associated with brainstem inflammation, including multiple sclerosis and dementia. By using 7T scanners, researchers may improve the monitoring of treatment outcomes for various brain diseases.
The study received support from the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, and the University of Oxford COVID Medical Sciences Division Rapid Response Fund. The collaborative effort of researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford demonstrates the importance of teamwork in advancing our understanding of the impact of Covid-19 on the brain.
If you’re fascinated by the intersection of science, technology, and healthcare, this article provides a comprehensive exploration of the groundbreaking research into the effects of severe Covid-19 on the brain. By utilizing cutting-edge imaging technology, researchers have unveiled the damaging impact of the virus on the brainstem, shedding light on the long-lasting physical and psychiatric effects of Covid-19 infection.
The brainstem, often referred to as the brain’s ‘control centre,’ is responsible for regulating essential bodily functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Despite its critical role, studying the brainstem in living individuals has been a challenge due to its microscopic size and intricate location. However, with the development of ultra-high-resolution scanners, researchers can now visualize and understand how Covid-19 affects the brainstem in unprecedented detail.
This groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford offers valuable insights into the effects of severe Covid-19 on the brain, specifically on the brainstem. By scanning the brains of individuals who had been hospitalized with severe Covid-19 early in the pandemic, the researchers were able to identify inflammation in the brainstem associated with breathlessness, fatigue, and anxiety.
Lead author Dr. Catarina Rua highlighted the significance of studying the brainstem, stating, “The brainstem is a vital hub for regulating essential bodily functions, yet it has been challenging to examine it in living individuals. With advanced imaging technology, we can now observe and analyze how Covid-19 impacts this critical region of the brain.”
Professor James Rowe, who co-led the research, emphasized the importance of understanding the changes in the brainstem caused by Covid-19, stating, “By uncovering the effects of Covid-19 on the brainstem, we can develop more targeted treatments for the physical and psychiatric symptoms experienced by Covid-19 survivors.”
By analyzing the brains of individuals who had been hospitalized with severe Covid-19, the researchers discovered abnormalities in key brainstem nuclei responsible for controlling breathing. These abnormalities may explain the persistent symptoms of fatigue and breathlessness reported by many Covid-19 survivors. Additionally, individuals with a more pronounced immune response showed higher levels of depression and anxiety, underscoring the intricate link between physical and mental health.
The findings from this study could have far-reaching implications for the understanding of other conditions associated with brainstem inflammation, such as multiple sclerosis and dementia. Moreover, the use of ultra-high-resolution scanners may enhance the monitoring of treatment outcomes for a wide range of brain diseases.
The study received support from the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, and the University of Oxford COVID Medical Sciences Division Rapid Response Fund. The collaborative effort of researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford exemplifies the power of teamwork in advancing scientific knowledge and improving patient care.
