Thread by @ejustin46

Brain metabolic connectivity in SARS-CoV-2 survivors, during acute, subacute, and chronic phases, to understand the mechanisms underlying persistent neurological symptoms in long-COVID patients.

Thanks to @DavidJoffe64
link.springer.com/article/10.100…

2) This study looked at how COVID-19 affects the brain's communication networks over time. In the early stages, the brain tried to compensate by increasing connections in the networks responsible for thinking and paying attention.

3) However, in the long run, these same networks showed reduced connectivity. This matched the cognitive problems long-COVID patients experience, like trouble focusing and making decisions.

Other brain networks, like those involved in processing emotions and sensations, showed..

4) ...a different pattern - they were overactive early on, but returned to normal levels later.

Importantly, the researchers found that while there was initial damage to certain brain regions, this largely recovered over time.

5) This suggests the persistent symptoms in long-COVID are not due to permanent brain injury, but rather disruption in how the brain's communication networks are organized.

6) Overall, the study provides new insights into how COVID-19 affects the brain and may help explain the lingering neurological issues some patients face. Understanding these brain connectivity changes could lead to better treatments for long-COVID.

Thanks 🙏