Long-Covid & Brain Injury

How's Long-Covid relates to Brain Injury?

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, there was much discussion and warning about the potential impact of the virus on those with underlying pre-existing conditions. Now, with years of learning curve, we have a better understanding about the devastating impact on those with pre-existing conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, etc. In addition, during the first few months following a coronavirus infection, even mild cases of COVID-19 are associated with subtle tissue damage and accelerated losses in brain regions tied to the sense of taste and smell, as well as a small loss in the brain’s overall volume, as a recent British study has found. Also, having a mild case of COVID-19 is associated with a cognitive function deficit. These are the striking findings of the new study led by University of Oxford investigators, one that leading COVID researchers consider particularly important, because it is the first study of the disease’s potential impact on the brain that is based on brain scans taken both before and after participants contracted the Coronavirus.

There are, however, others who have experienced a devastating impact after COVID-19 infections: those with autoimmune disease, and those dealing with long-term COVID-19 issues. Both have reported long term physical symptoms, as well as brain injury-like symptoms, after being infected. Based on research and our experience, it turns out that these two groups are mostly one and the same, it’s now called Long-COVID, or COVID long-hauler.

Regardless, those of us who are all too familiar with brain injury symptoms, will advocate for the inclusion of anyone who experiences brain injury symptoms, regardless of how the symptoms came to be. This webspace is not about any sort of diagnosis or treatment, but rather we have experience with, and offer mentoring and support for, anyone who is experiencing brain injury symptoms.