Here’s what we know about COVID-19’s impact on the brain

When COVID-19 first emerged, many researchers were focused on its impact on the lungs. But others, including Avindra Nath, Clinical Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, suspected COVID could also have a profound impact on the brain. Brain autopsy data from those who have died of COVID-19 have confirmed these early suspicions, revealing damaged blood vessels and inflammatory cells. Less is known about the direct impact on the brains of people with persisting symptoms weeks after an initial infection, a condition known as Long COVID. What at first seemed like a laundry list of neurological symptoms has now been focused into major categories, says Serena Spudich, a neurologist at Yale University. Watch to learn how researchers and doctors have been teasing apart how COVID impacts the brain, and testing treatments to alleviate symptoms.

[ashleylala]

Had Covid in July 2020, haven’t been the same since. Prior to Covid, I’d had Lyme/CFS and some other issues so I was no stranger to brain fog but this is different. Covid left me with relentless migraines that felt like my brain was going to explode for many days on end. Fluvoxamine helped tremendously with the migraines and feeling of my brain being swollen but the side effects were really annoying. Things that I was previously good at, I’m not great at anymore. My sense of direction is not as good, I’m far clumsier, fine motor skills and spatial awareness are both diminished. Word recall and vocabulary have suffered. Then there’s the personality changes. I used to be funny, extroverted and sociable, I’m not anymore. Nothing really brings me much joy, it’s like I’m not making dopamine or seratonin. Food doesn’t taste as good, my sense of smell is still stronger than most people’s but it’s definitely diminished from what it was. I just feel like a hollow shell of the person I was before.

I try to fake my way through life and act normal but I don’t want to live like this for a lifetime. There’s so many of us who are suffering this hell and we really need help from Drs and scientists that are willing to take us seriously.

[lorentzinvariant]

I had Covid in January. After recovering I noticed I had what some have called brain fog. I really had trouble concentrating. For the record I do a lot of working out. Primarily aerobic but also some weights too. I decided to see if I could use my workouts to help. I decided to try this since I have experienced in the past how a good cardio workout really seems to clean out my system. I went and did two days of really hard cardio. I absolutely murdered it hard as I could for several miles. Particularly the second day. Brain fog was gone and haven’t seen it since. Don’t know if this could help someone else but it is my experience.

[TaiChiGhost]

This bug looks more and more like a biological weapon all the time.

[gilbertalegria]

I had covid in early July of this year and since then I have not been the same! I’ve had major brain fog and probably the worst thing I developed was insomnia from it. It has truly affected my mood/personality. I went from being such a motivated person who was really active to someone who now suffers from depression & anxiety. It truly has changed who I am. Everyday is a struggle when before I never had an issue. I really hope everything gets better for everyone suffering. It truly has crippled my life in a way but I’m learning how to live with it. Prayers for everyone.

[pityparty]

Having read many of the comments I now believe we all need to be kinder to each other. Too many people are quietly living diminished and even painful lives. Things no one understands and medicine cannot treat. It’s not their fault.

[skallywalla]

To all the long-haulers out there: I see you and I know how much you suffer, how scary it is. Please take care of yourselves, keep advocating when you can, and rest when you need to recharge. I am holding you in compassion and praying that you all find your way to the resources you need, to find your way towards more and more healing. 🙏🏻 We will get through this. 💛

To everyone who doubts that any of this is real: I understand that's the decision your brain and nervous system made to help you feel safe. If everything you're shown or hear about COVID is wildly exaggerated or made up, you never have to feel threatened. It is a much easier way to live. I am holding you in compassion and praying that you all get the resources you need to make it through this time with as little harm as possible coming to or from you. 🙏🏻

[franceslock]

Impacts on the brain have been under emphasized. We need more research and attention focused on this.

[RebelJones-wgvz]

I survived the acute infection a couple of times but I have not been the same since. I pray for everyone that is suffering with on going sickness and symptoms related to this. I’ve been almost bed ridden for two years, and I know I can’t be the only one. God bless everyone 😊

[Bmphotog]

My best bud had long covid symptoms, no taste or smell for over 4 months, ect. One day recently some 6 months after his infection, after several beers he said, "something has changed in me, I can't pinpoint it but I know I'll never be the same again." I wondered how he could say that so assuredly - I still don't know exactly what he meant by it. * Sounds like people commenting here know exactly what he was saying that day.

[DrewRueDoo]

I've had brain fog when I got Covid over a year and a half ago, and it hasn't changed ever since.

[christopherkleinbach]

I'm not the same since I had COVID 😥.

[uncle-nice]

I'm concerned about the profit motive of pharmaceutical companies that produces vaccines. I don't want to support an industry that prioritizes profits over people's lives.

[pakde]

My brother caught covid just a month before vaccines were available in the USA. He seemed to recover but he suddenly couldn't digest his food and has lost 70 pounds in the last few months. He can't eat anything solid. He told me that he tried to eat a few slices of well ripened mango but he vomited several hours later and it was completely undigested as if he had just sliced it. His doctors have ruled out physiological problems and are now treating it as a psychological problem. He's 60 years old and has never had problems related to stress. He's always been a laid back guy, generally positive, likes to crack jokes and active in church. He's also having heart problems. I feel so bad for him because he was very cautious during the pandemic but he had to take our mother to the hospital for skin cancer treatment that couldn't wait during the peak of the pandemic in New Mexico and both he and our mother caught covid, probably at the hospital. I hope this research can help him. Thank you.

[djn]

This highlights the importance of the Neuro-immune connection and the thoughtlessness of the medical community on understanding physiology and pathophysiology in comprehensive ways, of which the autonomic nervous system is the foundation of.

[mmac]

Those who are responsible for this should be prosecuted

[AlbaLynxQueen]

It's great to see doctors working on it. This disease ruined my life. 13 months of fevers, nausea, terrible fatigue, no focus. Can't do anything longer than 30-40 minutes. It's not life, it's just existing. I hope the researchers will find the answers.

[winniecash]

Since I've experienced autoimmune disorders for the last 30 years, covid symptoms even 7 months later are par for the course. Welcome to the world of the autoimmune sufferer.

[TMarie]

Glad to see and hear the medical changes to those of us that seek relief without being categorized into the "oh! It's merely psychological." How many doctors have done that, especially when you are a female patient!

[andrearodigari]

I found remedy that worked for me.
I stopped watching TV and stop listening to everyone telling me that is for my own good.
And mainly never stopped living my life.
It's amazing how it works!

[burakbolat]

36 years old male, and i am ill over a year. I am living hell. And it isn't about the respiratory system. Before covid i had gi issues like ibs flatulence etc.. but i could live with them. After covid it is like my GI problems started to have their own neurological problems. Involuntarily swallowing (!) started. My tongue and jaw started to loosen. It is unseen. I felt like there was a tremor and tension through my throat-esophagus track. After losing 15 pounds, 3-4 weeks later i got little better and gained my appetite, but then i spit light red blood with stomachache and throatache. I did endoscopy immediately but they didn't find anything. Then everything got worse. I lost my appetite for good over a year. I am experiencing a worsening throatache that no ENT professors can detect with camera. I have examined by over 60 professors. Gastroenterologists, ENT Professors, Neurologists etc.. i did blood tests, endoscopies, colonoscopy, CTs, MRs even EMGs. Throat pain is killing me. Loss of appetite, fatigue.. these are also challenging. I have other symptoms but i dont know how can i bare this throat pain. Gabapentine isn't working. Diclofenac isn't working. They can not tell any reason other than long covid.