Coronavirus brain damage: Here are three ways COVID-19 impacts the brain and nerves

Even the novel coronavirus continues to ravage the globe, scientists and medical experts are working day and night to learn more about how the virus impacts the entire body. While initially the SARSCov2 virus was thought to impact only the respiratory system of the body, several studies have underlined that novel coronavirus can also trigger a wide range of neurological symptoms in the human body.

As the novel contagion as already infected more than 12 million people around the world, researchers are learning the way the virus rampage through the body and leaves a devasting impact even in those who have recovered. There are increasing pieces of evidence that the novel coronavirus impacts the central nervous system leading to neurological symptoms

Infact, several people who have recovered from a mild illness from the disease later noted trouble with concentration, confused thoughts and memory issues as well. As of now, clear links have been established that the virus does cause problems in the brain including confusion, loss of consciousness, stroke, seizures, loss of smell and taste (anosmia), trouble focusing etc.

We list down the major ways the novel coronavirus impacts the brain and the central nervous system:

There have been emerging reports that a lot of people battling the disease have experienced delirium and confusion. While confusing thoughts and disorientation are yet to be studied for their long-lasting impact. There have been several speculations pertaining to COVID-19’s effect on the brain, including a decline in cognition leading to worsening of pre-existing neurological conditions like dementia.

Recent studies of coronavirus patients shed light on an abnormal level of blood clotting, leading to stroke. When a blood clot is formed in the arteries supplying blood to the brain, it cuts off the oxygen and blood supply to the brain, leading to a stroke. Infact, many COVID patients with severe illness develop blood clots in intensive care, even after they are put on blood thinner drugs. What is truly shocking is that growing evidence suggests that some of the major complications of the coronavirus disease could be caused by blood clotting.

According to a study published in The Lancet Psychiatry, almost half of the 125 coronavirus patients admitted in the UK hospitals suffered from brain inflammation, while the other half had a stroke owing to a blood clot. As per the researchers, one of the ways COVID attacks the body is by causing inflammation and swelling of the brain. Another study published in the journal Brain highlighted the neurological symptoms caused by the novel coronavirus. These complications included brain inflammation, nerve damage, stroke and delirium.