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The Many Brain Changes Resulting from COVID-19 Infections

A November 29, 2022, article by Joe Graedon for The People’s PharmacyBrain Changes from COVID titled “Brain Changes from COVID Affect Memory!” provides an overview of the latest research showing changes to the brain after COVID infections generally described as cognitive dysfunction or “brain fog.” The author addresses several ways that COVID affects the brain, even in the mildest cases, and includes results from a number of recent studies designed to better understand what is actually going on in the brain to cause a wide range of cognitive difficulties.

Studies using MRIs found differences in the frontal lobe and brain stem as well as impairments to circulation through small blood vessels in these regions. The issue of brain inflammation was also addressed via a study showing that SARS-CoV-2 causes exactly the same inflammation as is observed in Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease brains. The author notes that, typically, such neurodegenerative disorders take years to materialize, however, the COVID spike protein causes the process to occur more rapidly when cells are predisposed to Parkinson’s disease.

Graedon provides an overview of memory issues caused by COVID with one study showing roughly 20% of patients who contract the virus end up with “memory impairments in the post-illness phase” especially when it comes to working memory. Objective memory scores were also drastically lower. Additionally, a summary of a UK research study showed moderate brain shrinkage in specific anatomical regions. The article also touches on the ways that SARS-CoV-2 targets the nervous system and lungs, resulting in a multitude of neurological issues —including confusion, stroke, and neuromuscular disorders.

Based on antibodies detected in blood samples at commercial labs, it is estimated that over 186 million people have likely contracted COVID, including many who are not aware that they contracted the virus. Considering this, if only 10% end up with enduring brain issues, it is possible that many millions of people are experiencing cognitive dysfunction caused by the virus.

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Read the article on The People’s Pharmacy website.

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