2-Minute Neuroscience: COVID-19 & the Brain

​COVID-19 is associated with a wide range of neurological symptoms. In this video, I discuss current hypotheses that attempt to explain how SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) affects the brain.

TRANSCRIPT:

Although COVID-19 is generally considered a respiratory illness, it is associated with a wide range of symptoms, a number of which involve the nervous system. These neurological symptoms range from very common symptoms such as disturbances in smell and taste, to complications such as confusion, impaired consciousness, and stroke. Additionally, some patients develop long-term symptoms that involve the nervous system, such as headaches, depression, and impaired concentration. These symptoms can last well after a COVID infection, and are part of a condition sometimes referred to as long COVID.

At this point there is still uncertainty about how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, leads to neurological symptoms. Initially, it was suspected that the virus might enter the nervous system through one of several potential routes such as through the olfactory nerve or across the blood-brain barrier. Studies so far, however, have found very low levels of virus in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid, suggesting that the virus migrating to the brain and infecting brain cells may not play the primary role in causing the neurological effects of COVID-19.

There is, however, evidence of a robust immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in the brain. Thus, one hypothesis is that this immune reaction and the associated inflammation that occurs may interfere with brain function and potentially damage neurons, resulting in neurological symptoms. SARS-CoV-2 is also known to damage blood vessels and impair vascular function, and thus issues such as microscopic blood clots and disruptions of blood supply may be responsible for neurological symptoms as well. Additionally, studies have found changes in brain structure after COVID-19 infection and altered metabolic activity in the brains of people with Long COVID. These neurological changes might contribute to long COVID symptoms, although the underlying mechanisms are still unclear.

REFERENCES:

Al-Sarraj S, Troakes C, Hanley B, Osborn M, Richardson MP, Hotopf M, Bullmore E, Everall IP. Invited Review: The spectrum of neuropathology in COVID-19. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol. 2021 Feb;47(1):3-16. doi: 10.1111/nan.12667. Epub 2020 Oct 20. PMID: 32935873.

Boldrini M, Canoll PD, Klein RS. How COVID-19 Affects the Brain. JAMA Psychiatry. 2021 Jun 1;78(6):682-683. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2021.0500. PMID: 33769431.

[SpannerManSam]

2.5 years and My brain fog, mood and memory isn’t improving. Emotions are very dull, it’s hard to be happy

[rodbowles]

I have impaired consciousness. Very scary symptom. I feel like im dying all the time. It's been a few weeks now

[emeraldbrown]

Celery juice, vitamins, sunlight and prayers. Went through the same things and slowly getting better.

[lucindaayala]

Doctors, is it possible that the neurological symptoms may be a Molybdenum deficiency? As well as other vitamin depletions from where the body is experiencing an auto immune response . I consider covid a symptom . But the disease acts more parasitic in nature. Going through cycles of wellness and illness. Similar to the illness - malaria. Could it be that with infection people loose the ability to detox ? And lack the ability to also absorb necessary nutrients to improve wellness?

[terrybrown]

People experiencing long-haul covid-19 should consider decreasing or quitting altogether caffeine also decreasing sugar intake can improve long-haul covid-19 symptoms in about 3 to 6 months. If you are one of those people that need your caffeine throughout the day you are increasing your mental decline and will eventually lose the ability to function realizing this early can lessen your recovery time people experiencing long-haul covid-19 symptoms need to do these two things right away decrease or eliminate caffeine and sugar from their daily lives I know asking people to do this is hard but it is necessary in order to fully recover from covid-19 not doing so can lead to early dementia lack of energy and depression. Other side effects include constipation headaches anemia nausea and vomiting stomach cramping and muscle pain

[o_gamer]

It's been 2y and i still can't smell or taste 😢 stay safe everyone!

[JW-qzjl]

Ever since a mild case of covid that ended in September I have been having anxiety and insomnia, I started taking melatonin and atarax for sleep but I have to get on an SSRI because the anxiety peaks with my PMS/PMDD and I feel like my nervous system is out of control and hyerstimulated, idk if this will be a forever thing or not, but I’ve never felt like this, I have to lay down and relax a lot, it also brought on my cycle 2 weeks early and I was on birth control 🤷🏽‍♀️, it’s like covid activated a stress response and I now have to keep my stress low

[linn]

Fascinating topic! Thanks for the short video and for the cited references!
As an epidemiologist, I love videos like this, because they help deliver complex information in a simple manner very effectively to the general population. Again, thanks a lot!

[cindydiebel]

I lost smell and taste for 23 months. I was having an orthopedic problem and was put on a 5 day steroid pack to get down my inflammation. Within a day of starting I began to smell and taste things. It continues to improve.

[Mikemk_]

Makes me wonder of their might be long term impairment when driving risk.

[PDADadUK]

This is fantastic and explains my own daughter's struggles too

[projectvince]

is long covid like a neuro inflammation? the symptoms are the same

[lorijane]

Never had ADD symptoms until after my first bout of COVID in 2020. Then I contracted COVID a 2nd time from my son in December of 2021. I tested positive and was physically asymptomatic, but had acute depression and anxiety. My son had the respiratory symptoms and the depression like me. It was horrible, I almost quit my job and left my husband. Two weeks of crying myself to sleep, I woke up one morning feeling completely normal. No depression or anxiety since. The same thing with my son. WTF does COVID do to our brains?!

[Mojotown]

New study dose show entering the brain via spinal fluid and it has crossed brain blood barrier. 5/2023

[catalystcomet]

I've read at least a few studies that have mentioned traveling through the olfactory system, going directly into the amygdala through that route, and then into the hippocampus. It explained why people have such emotional dysregulation as well as the well-known term brain fog. The amygdala associated with our emotions and the hippocampus associated with memory. I'm just a high school dropout but, isn't that worth mentioning?

[cittamyxd]

Nghe xong bài này cái thấy tâm trạng buồn và nặng nề kinh khủng. Nhưng lại cứ phải replay hoài cả ngày😍

[saintessa]

I got covid not too long ago, but it was difficult to determine the symptoms as I was also suffering from gallstones and a blockage. Im 31.yo female and triple vaccinated - I was negative a week or so after my positive test, I don't think I have any lasting symptoms.

[Adventure]

I wish there’s some about tumour on Pituitary gland my son had surgery but still small piece remained how those tumours start can the age be determined by pathology or is it related to injury etc 🤔

[nia]

I have epilepsy since covid last year, loss of consciousness from time to time

[whatiftherewerejustpeop]

That was informative! Maybe You could do a video about "Brain in War" or smt. I have 10 years clinical depression and anxiety dissorder and now there is war and genoside in my country which definately affects the brain as well. I am Ukrainian in Ukraine, russia attaks and you know