In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications, researchers identify lingering indicators of brain injury in COVID-19 survivors, even after standard inflammation blood tests return to normal.
A recent study conducted by the University of Liverpool, UK, has unveiled a significant discovery related to the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain. The research, focused on individuals who faced neurological complications during their COVID-19 illness, found that markers indicating brain injury persist in the blood for months after infection, despite conventional inflammation blood test results showing normalcy.
The study examined samples from over 800 hospitalised COVID-19 patients across England and Wales, half of whom developed new neurological conditions. The analysis included various markers such as brain injury indicators, inflammatory proteins (cytokines), antibodies, and neuroglial injury proteins.
During the acute phase of COVID-19, an increase in inflammatory proteins and brain injury markers was observed. Even after patients were discharged from the hospital, evidence of ongoing brain injury markers persisted for months. This persistence was notably higher in patients who experienced neurological issues during the acute phase and continued during their recovery.
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Professor Benedict Michael, the principal investigator and director of the University of Liverpool, highlighted the study's implications, stating, "Our study highlights the persistence of brain injury markers in the blood months after COVID-19 infection, especially in those who experienced COVID-19-induced brain complications such as inflammation or stroke. This suggests the possibility of ongoing inflammation and injury within the brain that might not be detectable by standard blood tests for inflammation."
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Professor Leonie Taams from King’s College London emphasised the interdisciplinary nature of the research, stating, "By integrating immunology, neurology, and infection research, we uncovered several biomarkers associated with COVID-19’s neurological complications. This research lays the groundwork for understanding the potential underlying mechanisms behind these complications."
The findings indicate a need for further investigation into the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain and suggest that inflammatory markers may serve as potential therapeutic targets not only for COVID-19 but also for other infections leading to acute brain dysfunction.
