Long Covid could trigger changes in the brain that are similar to Alzheimer’s, new study says

Emerging research suggests a potential link between long Covid and cognitive decline, with some patients experiencing symptoms reminiscent of Alzheimer’s disease. A recent study from New York University Langone Health indicates that changes in the brain triggered by long Covid – defined by the CDC as symptoms persisting for more than three months – may lead to lasting issues like fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, and loss of smell or taste.

Long Covid and Brain Changes

The study, published in the Alzheimer’s & Dementia journal, focused on 86 individuals with long Covid exhibiting neurological symptoms, alongside 67 people who had recovered fully from Covid-19 and 26 healthy individuals who had never been infected. Researchers discovered that participants with long Covid had a choroid plexus – a network of blood vessels in the brain responsible for producing cerebrospinal fluid and acting as a protective barrier – that was 10 percent larger than those in the other groups.

Did You Know? Approximately 20 million Americans have been diagnosed with long Covid, according to Yale Medicine.

According to Dr. Yulin Ge, a professor in the Department of Radiology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, the findings suggest that long-term immune reactions following a Covid-19 infection may cause swelling that damages the choroid plexus. This damage could potentially contribute to cognitive issues. The choroid plexus produces cerebrospinal fluid, which cushions the brain and spinal cord, removes waste, and delivers nutrients.

Implications and Future Research

The study also revealed that individuals with a larger choroid plexus scored 2 percent lower on a 30-point cognitive test. Researchers hypothesize that long Covid may induce chronic inflammation, leading to thickening of blood vessels within the choroid plexus. A larger choroid plexus is considered a marker of both chronic neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, and is also linked to biomarkers found in patients with progressing Alzheimer’s disease.

Expert Insight: This research highlights the potential for long-term neurological consequences following a Covid-19 infection, and underscores the need for continued investigation into the mechanisms driving these effects. The identification of the choroid plexus as a potential area of concern opens new avenues for understanding and potentially mitigating the long-term impact of long Covid.

Dr. Ge noted that further analysis of follow-up data is underway to determine if these brain changes are reversible. Dr. Thomas Wisniewski of the NYU Grossman School of Medicine indicated that the research team intends to monitor patients to assess whether these identified brain changes can predict the development of long-term cognitive impairment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is long Covid?

Long Covid refers to symptoms of Covid-19 that linger for more than three months, according to the CDC.

What is the choroid plexus?

The choroid plexus is a collection of blood vessels in the brain’s ventricles that produce cerebrospinal fluid and act as a barrier, according to the National Institutes of Health.

What did the study find regarding the choroid plexus in long Covid patients?

Researchers found that study participants with long Covid had a 10 percent larger choroid plexus compared to those who recovered without long-term symptoms.

As research continues, will understanding the link between long Covid and potential neurological changes help improve treatment and support for those affected?