A new study from the University of Oxford has found that Covid-19 can cause brain damage even in mild cases. The researchers analyzed brain scans of nearly 800 participants between the ages of 51 and 81, with one scan taken before any Covid-19 diagnosis and another taken an average of 141 days after diagnosis. Of the 785 participants, 401 (51%) had contracted Covid-19, while the remaining 384 served as a control group. The study found that Covid-19 led to a decrease in the thickness of gray matter and tissue contrast in areas of the brain responsible for memory and recognition. Additionally, the virus caused tissue damage in the primary olfactory cortex, which is responsible for the sense of smell, and a significant reduction in overall brain size.
These effects were observed even in mild cases of Covid-19 and could have long-term impacts on concentration and cognitive function. The study’s authors note that this is the first longitudinal imaging study of SARS-CoV-2, with participants scanned before infection, but caution that the study’s limitations, including the severity of illness and the specific variants contracted by participants, may limit the results’ generalizability. Further research is needed to determine whether these brain effects are reversible or permanent.
This study highlights the potential long-term impacts of Covid-19 on brain function, even in mild cases. As the pandemic continues, it is crucial to understand the full range of effects of the virus and to take steps to mitigate its spread and impact on public health.
