Long COVID and the Brain
COVID-19 (COVID) is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that first appeared in 2019. Some people who are infected with COVID can develop Long COVID, defined as a chronic condition that is present at least three months after the initial infection.
Latest news about Long COVID
Symptoms of Long COVID
What causes Long COVID?
Researchers aren’t sure exactly what causes Long COVID. Like with Alzheimer’s disease, there are likely many different contributing factors
One of the leading theories that researchers are investigating is the idea of viral persistence. The spike protein, which sticks out of the virus, helps SARS-CoV-2 enter cells. Researchers have found that some people with long COVID have high levels of this protein in the gut and blood months or years after infection.
Severe COVID-19 infections leave lasting damage across different organ systems, including the heart, lungs, and brain.
Long COVID is linked to changes in the gut microbiome — the trillions of friendly bacteria, viruses, and other microbes that play important roles in digestion and immune system function. People with the condition may have different kinds of microbes in their gut, contributing to symptoms.
Some symptoms of long COVID, like fatigue and post-exertional malaise, may be caused by damage to the mitochondria, the cell’s energy-producing factories. Some researchers are also studying whether problems with the mitochondria might contribute to Alzheimer’s.
Researchers have found that people with long COVID develop small blood clots. These blood clots might cut off blood circulation to parts of the body and cause the immune system to go haywire.
Another leading theory is that long COVID causes the immune system to go haywire by attacking healthy tissue. While some immune cells become overactive, other problems with the immune system might allow dormant viruses like Herpes to “wake up”, causing more symptoms to flare up.
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Medications that may help with Long COVID
Metformin
Studies show metformin use before and during SARS-CoV-2 infection reduces severe COVID-19
Paxlovid
Paxlovid is an antiviral drug called a protease inhibitor. It prevents the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19 infection, from replicating in the body.
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FAQs about Long COVID
Long COVID, also known as post-COVID condition, refers to a range of symptoms that continue for weeks or months after the initial COVID-19 infection. Common symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, and joint pain. It can affect people of any age, even after mild illness.
Long COVID symptoms vary but often include fatigue, brain fog, chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Some people also experience digestive issues, headaches, or nerve pain. Symptoms can come and go or persist for months after the initial infection.
There is no single test for Long COVID. Doctors diagnose it based on a patient’s history of COVID-19 and ongoing symptoms lasting longer than four weeks. Diagnosis may involve ruling out other conditions through blood work, imaging, or cognitive assessments.
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