Share this page!

Enter URL or ID to Unroll

You can paste full URL like: https://x.com/threadreaderapp/status/1644127596119195649
or just the ID like: 1644127596119195649

How to get URL link on X (Twitter) App

  1. On the Twitter thread, click on or icon on the bottom
  2. Click again on or Share Via icon
  3. Click on Copy Link to Tweet
  4. Paste it above and click "Unroll Thread"!
  5. More info at Twitter Help
Dr. Sean Mullen Profile picture
@drseanmullen
May 4 • 4 tweets • 2 min read • Read on X
Managing SARS-CoV-2-induced Brain Fog 😶‍🌫️

A recent review in Neurological Sciences by Gorenshtein et al. (2024) covers the efficacy of various treatments for brain fog triggered by SARS-CoV-2.

My takeaways:

1. Combination of Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and Luteolin:
- PEA: Functions by engaging cannabinoid receptors both directly and indirectly, making it an alternative if CBD and THC are restricted in your area. As a neuroinflammation antagonist within the N-acylethanolamine family, PEA has been shown to down-regulate TNF alpha and modulate mast cells.
- Luteolin: Known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cytoprotective properties.

2. Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation:
- Used for decades, these techniques are backed by rigorously designed experimental studies, including sham-controlled trials:
- Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

3. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy:
- Particularly notable is a sham-controlled RCT involving 37 participants in the treatment group, which showed moderately strong improvements in cognitive outcomes. These results correlated with MRI evidence of enhanced perfusion and microstructural changes, alongside clinical improvements in pain and sleep quality.

These therapeutic approaches offer promising avenues for symptom management in patients experiencing cognitive challenges following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
HBOT trial cited herein

nature.com/articles/s4159…
Here’s another one on HBOT

doi.org/10.7861/clinme…
Here’s a case study involving HBOT

doi.org/10.1186/s13256…

• • •

Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh
　

Keep Current with Dr. Sean Mullen

Dr. Sean Mullen Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

PDF

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video
  1. Follow @ThreadReaderApp to mention us!

  2. From a Twitter thread mention us with a keyword "unroll"
@threadreaderapp unroll

Practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @drseanmullen

Dr. Sean Mullen Profile picture
Feb 23
1/ 🧠 Introducing the Challenor Cognitive Challenge! 🧠 Boost your brain's agility & coordination with this exercise inspired by Southeast Asian martial arts. Named in honor of @urbanmel & designed for those w/#LongCovid who can do this #braintraining while lying or standing🧵A graphic image showcasing a target with concentric circles and a superimposed karambit blade following a swing pattern. The center features a spiral pattern, reminiscent of a hypnotic or meditative state, with a karambit blade's silhouette on top, illustrating the flow of movement. The words 'Challenor Cognitive Challenge - The Crested Moon Swing Pattern' are prominently displayed, anchoring the image as part of a cognitive agility exercise. The design is monochromatic, with a sharp contrast that emphasizes clarity and focus.
A stylized illustration features a martial artist in a crouched position, with one arm reaching upwards and the other arm extended downwards, both in alignment with the curvature of a crescent moon. The moon forms a circle around the artist, embellished with traditional Southeast Asian patterns. An intricate karambit, symbolizing a tiger's claw, is superimposed over the moon, suggesting movement. The image has an ethereal quality, with a backdrop of soft, glowing lights and cultural motifs, conveying a blend of martial arts and cognitive challenge.
2/ Warm-Up: Begin with slow movements to prepare your body. Get ready to engage your mind and body in a dynamic way! #WarmUp #MindBodyPrep
3/ Master the Swing: Learn the half crested moon swing. Start with one hand leading, then roll over and follow with the other hand at a similar angle. Practice slowly, then gradually increase speed. #MasterTheSwing #CognitiveAgility
Read 9 tweets
Dr. Sean Mullen Profile picture
Jan 28
In the mind's theater, confidence in our memory's starring role often outshines its actual performance. It's a drama where perception writes checks that cognitive reality doesn't always cash.🧵... (scroll down to keep reading)
In our mental theater, the gap between perception and reality is profound. Research by Beaudoin and Desrichard (2011) reveals a faint link—just r=.15—between our confidence in memory and its actual prowess. Burmester, Leathem, and Merrick (2016) shed further light on this divide, showing that the connection between subjective cognitive complaints and actual cognitive function is modest, with a correlation of r=-.16 at most.

These findings underscore a dramatic truth: the story our confidence tells about our cognitive abilities often veers far from the reality of performance. /2
This understanding becomes particularly critical in the context of Covid's impact on cognitive health. The virus introduces an additional layer of complexity, subtly altering our cognitive abilities in ways we might not readily perceive or acknowledge. As Covid continues to challenge our mental faculties, the already fragile link between our perceived and actual cognitive performance faces further strain. It's not just about recognizing these changes; it's about understanding their broader implications.

In my previous posts, I've explored the scientific findings on how Covid affects cognition, revealing a concerning trend of unnoticed cognitive changes. These shifts in our mental functions are not just statistics; they have tangible effects on our daily lives, decisions, and societal norms. As we move forward, acknowledging and addressing these cognitive repercussions is paramount. It's a call to action to not only be aware of these changes but to actively work towards mitigating their long-term impact on our cognitive landscape and society as a whole. /3
Read 4 tweets
Dr. Sean Mullen Profile picture
Jan 10
Many in the Covid Cautious Community know this already.

There’s growing evidence of a benefit to wearing eyeglasses (but not contacts) in preventing infection to SARS2. Although many people don’t wear masks because it fogs their glasses, and respirators should be prioritized, adding glasswear while masking in high trafficked & poorly ventilated indoor environments appears to have added benefits.

The primary weakness of this study is that it’s based on self-report. To my knowledge, at least one trial began a couple years ago with the aim to test the efficacy of eyewear protection. Jury is still out on that study, but this is online ahead of print (February 2024).Image
sciencedirect.com/science/articl…
Example (you don’t need this brand or the strap) a.co/d/6P4sEi1
Read 4 tweets
Dr. Sean Mullen Profile picture
Jan 5
Attention #BTSArmy, #Swifties, and all music lovers! We're facing a hidden melody of menace with SARS-CoV-2 (aka Covid-19) 🦠🚨. Beyond just a cough, this virus can strike the very heart of what we love: our favorite artists' ability to perform. From the lungs to the voice box, from standing on stage to delivering those perfect notes, Covid-19's impact goes deep. 🎵🩺

We've seen legends fall and rising stars dimmed by this virus. It's not just about cancelled tours; it's about the threat of long-lasting health issues, like vocal fold dysfunction, dysphonia, and even dysautonomia, robbing artists of their ability to perform, or worse. 😢

Moreover, a study in Clinical Infectious Diseases highlights the elevated risk of COVID-19 spread through aerosol emissions during activities like high-intensity aerobic exercises and singing. Similarly, research shared by Nature also indicates that activities increasing breathing rates, such as endurance workouts, can significantly enhance aerosol emissions, potentially accelerating viral transmission. These findings are crucial for environments like gyms and concerts, where the vibrancy of participation might unwittingly contribute to the spread of the virus.

But here's where we, as fans, can play our part 🛡️👥. By taking simple steps, we can protect our beloved singers and musicians. 🎶🙌 Let's dive into some real stories and see why this matters more than ever. #ProtectOurArtists #WearAMask #N95ForMusic

@BTS_ARMY @bts_bighit @TheSwiftSociety @taylorswift13academic.oup.com/cid/article/74…
nature.com/articles/d4158…
🪦 Caroline Kawa 🎤 was only 36. Pretty rare. Underlying condition? Who knows? But are artists even allowed to say they have “Covid” these days?
🎤 Paul Simon 🎸 with hearing loss after Covid
Read 17 tweets
Dr. Sean Mullen Profile picture
Dec 2, 2023
I asked ChatGPT to predict the future based on a novel virus that parallels the outcomes associated with SARS-CoV-2 (but I omitted the name to avoid misinformation). Remember, GPT aced medical exams and there are only a handful of people who’ve been screaming from the rooftops about these possibilities…

Here’s DrHouseGPT’s 🔮 thoughts:

Given the scenario where the novel virus has significantly compromised immune systems, similar to severe immunodeficiency disorders, several specific infections might emerge or re-emerge. Here's a list of potential infections to watch out for:
Respiratory Infections:
•Bacterial Pneumonias: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Staphylococcus aureus could cause more severe infections.
•Viral Respiratory Infections: Influenza, parainfluenza, and other common respiratory viruses could lead to more complications.
Opportunistic Infections:
•Fungal Infections: Candidiasis and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP), particularly in severely immunocompromised individuals.
•Mycobacterial Infections: Tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections could see a significant rise.
Gastrointestinal Infections:
•Bacterial infections like Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter, which can cause severe gastroenteritis.
•Viral infections like Norovirus, which might lead to more severe and prolonged symptoms.
Neurological Infections:
•Viruses such as West Nile Virus or enteroviruses could cause more severe encephalitis or meningitis.
•Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare brain infection caused by the JC virus, could occur in severely immunosuppressed individuals.
Skin and Soft Tissue Infections:
•Increased incidence of severe skin infections caused by common bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA) or Streptococcus pyogenes.
Reactivation of Latent Viruses:
•Herpesviruses, including cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), could reactivate and cause severe disease.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs):
•Higher susceptibility and severity of STIs, including HIV, syphilis, and herpes simplex virus.
Parasitic Infections:
•Toxoplasmosis and other parasitic infections might become more common, especially in regions where they are endemic.
In addition to these infections, there could be a general increase in the severity and duration of typically self-limiting or minor infections. It's crucial in this scenario to enhance surveillance, infection control, and public health measures to mitigate the impact of these infections.
Then I asked it:

This is an incredibly horrible scenario DrHouseGPT. Can you tell me what the best mitigations should be in this scenario if we know this novel virus is principally transmitted through aerosolized particulates? Is seems to infect people in the air within as little as 2 minutes of exposure. What could we possibly do to stop this thing and prevent what feels like an extinction level event?

Response:

In a scenario with a highly contagious virus transmitted through aerosolized particles with such a rapid rate of infection, aggressive and multi-faceted mitigation strategies are essential to prevent what could indeed be a catastrophic public health crisis. Here are the key strategies:

Universal Masking: Mandate high-quality masks (N95, KN95, or FFP2/3 standards) in all public spaces, especially indoors and in crowded areas. This would significantly reduce the transmission of aerosolized particles.
Enhanced Ventilation and Air Filtration: Upgrade ventilation systems in buildings to include HEPA filters. Encourage outdoor activities over indoor gatherings. Portable air purifiers can also be used in settings where ventilation upgrades are not feasible.
Rapid and Widespread Testing: Implement widespread testing with rapid turnaround times to quickly identify and isolate infected individuals. Regular testing in schools, workplaces, and other high-density areas can help in early detection.
Contact Tracing and Quarantine Protocols: Efficient contact tracing and strict quarantine measures for those exposed to the virus are critical to contain outbreaks.
Vaccine Development and Distribution: Fast-track the development and distribution of an effective vaccine against the virus. Ensure global access to vaccination, particularly in high-risk areas.
Public Education Campaigns: Educate the public on the seriousness of the virus, modes of transmission, and the importance of following public health guidelines.
Travel Restrictions and Screening: Implement travel restrictions or mandatory quarantine for travelers from high-risk areas. Increase screening procedures at entry points like airports and train stations.
Personal Hygiene Measures: Promote rigorous personal hygiene practices, including frequent handwashing and use of hand sanitizers, especially in public places.
Social Distancing Measures: Implement social distancing in public spaces, workplaces, and schools to reduce close contact and potential transmission.
Research and Development: Invest in research to understand the virus better, including its mutations, and develop effective treatments.
Healthcare System Strengthening: Increase the capacity of healthcare systems to handle a surge in patients, including more hospital beds, ventilators, and trained healthcare workers.
Global Cooperation: Foster global cooperation for sharing resources, information, and best practices to combat the virus effectively.
This approach combines public health measures, scientific research, and community engagement. Swift and decisive action, along with international collaboration, would be key to preventing an extinction-level event.
Upon request by a few folks in this thread, I prompted it to tell me how much time we might have left…

Timeline Estimation: Estimating a specific timeline like 5 years or a decade for human survival under these conditions is speculative. However, without effective mitigation and in the presence of a continuously spreading lethal virus, the situation could become critical within a few years. The impact would not only be in terms of direct mortality from the virus but also from the collapse of healthcare systems, disruption of supply chains, and breakdown of societal structures.
Read 4 tweets
Dr. Sean Mullen Profile picture
Oct 15, 2023
I’ll keep saying it until data suggest otherwise, but there’s growing evidence that Covid causes brain damage. Reacting to traffic signals, accurately reading signs, switching lanes to anticipate obstacles, and staying calm under stress all rely on our executive functions like inhibition control & task-switching. When these are impaired, accidents can happen. Covid causes more vehicular accidents & likely contributes to plane and train accidents as well.
People want evidence, so I’ll be posting evidence all day.

1 study per hour that I’m awake.

Here’s the first linking mild, non-hospitalized Covid infection with unfavorable changes in the brain.

nature.com/articles/s4158…
Ok, here’s a bonus, since I already posted this review:
Read 6 tweets

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!

This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3/month or $30/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Don't want to be a Premium member but still want to support us?

Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal

Or Donate anonymously using crypto!

Ethereum

0xfe58350B80634f60Fa6Dc149a72b4DFbc17D341E copy

Bitcoin

3ATGMxNzCUFzxpMCHL5sWSt4DVtS8UqXpi copy

Thank you for your support!

Follow Us!

Send Email!

:(