Discovering Brainstem Damage
Ultra-high-resolution 7T MRI scanners revealed -19 causes inflammation in the brainstem, affecting vital functions like breathing, in patients previously hospitalized with severe illness.
The study, utilizing these advanced scanners, found abnormalities in the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain, suggesting long-term symptoms such as breathlessness and fatigue are linked to brainstem damage.
Mental Health and Future Research
Patients with marked immune responses showed higher levels of depression and anxiety, indicating a potential link between brainstem inflammation and poor mental health outcomes.
Researchers emphasize the need for further studies to understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain and to explore treatment options for the identified brainstem abnormalities.