FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·August 19, 2024·5 min readLong COVID Linked to Brain Inflammation and Low CortisolA study finds that COVID-19 proteins left in the brain may lower cortisol levels, leading to heightened inflammation and an exaggerated response to stressors. This discovery could explain the persistent neurological symptoms seen in Long COVID patients. Researchers suggest that managing stressors and investigating viral reservoirs might help alleviate these symptoms.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·June 27, 2024·4 min readCOVID-19 Vaccines May Reduce Virus-Induced Memory ProblemsCOVID-19-induced cognitive impairment is linked to the protein IL-1β. Researchers found that vaccination can reduce brain inflammation and memory loss in rodent models. This suggests vaccines may lower the risk of long COVID brain fog. More research is needed to confirm these findings in humans.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·June 21, 2024·7 min readCannabis Use Linked to Severe COVID-19Cannabis use increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Analyzing records of 72,501 patients, researchers discovered that cannabis users were significantly more likely to require hospitalization and intensive care. This elevated risk was comparable to that of tobacco smokers. The study challenges the perception of cannabis as a safe substance in the context of COVID-19.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·June 2, 2024·10 min readLong COVID Brain Fog: Impact and Coping StrategiesLong COVID, affecting 7% of U.S. adults, often includes debilitating brain fog. Symptoms like forgetfulness and difficulty focusing affect daily life and work. A new study highlights that while brain fog often resolves, it significantly impacts mental function. Effective coping strategies and treatments are crucial for managing this condition.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 19, 2024·4 min readPre-Pandemic Brain Wiring Predicted Teen Mental Health During COVIDA large study using pre-pandemic brain scans of adolescents reveals that brain wiring before COVID-19 predicted mental health outcomes during the pandemic. Adolescents with stronger connections within the brain's "salience network," responsible for emotion and reward processing, demonstrated greater resilience to stress and negative emotions.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceVisual Neuroscience·May 14, 2024·5 min readCOVID-19 May Damage VisionResearchers discovered that SARS-CoV-2 can penetrate the blood-retinal barrier, potentially causing long-term eye damage.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·May 7, 2024·5 min readAddiction Medication Offers New Hope for Long COVID PatientsResearchers identified a potential treatment for long COVID by restoring the function of ion channels in immune cells using low-dose Naltrexone. This discovery, detailed in Frontiers in Immunology, mirrors earlier findings with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) patients, suggesting a common pathophysiological thread between the two conditions.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·April 22, 2024·7 min readCOVID-19 Didn’t Delay Development As Much As BelievedA new study found only modest developmental delays in children aged 5 and under due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyzing data from over 50,000 children using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-3 (ASQ-3), the study observed slight declines in communication, problem-solving, and personal-social skills, with no significant changes in motor skills.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·April 8, 2024·7 min readInflammation Biomarkers in Blood of Long-COVID PatientsResearchers made significant progress in understanding long COVID by identifying distinct inflammation patterns in the blood of individuals who have experienced severe SARS-CoV-2 infections. This large UK study, which analyzed over 650 patients, found that long COVID sufferers exhibit immune system activation long after initial hospitalization, with specific patterns correlating to different symptom types.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·March 12, 2024·8 min readSmell Loss Heightens Safety RisksA new study highlights the significant safety concerns and hazards faced by individuals with olfactory dysfunction, including a higher incidence of gas safety scares. The survey of 432 participants, conducted from February to September 2022, found that a large majority are concerned about their safety, particularly regarding gas leaks, smoke detection, and spoiled food, with over a third experiencing related hazardous events in the past five years.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·March 7, 2024·4 min readCOVID’s Long Haul: Virus Lingers in Blood Years After InfectionSARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, can persist in the blood and tissue of some patients for up to two years post-infection, offering new insights into the phenomenon of long COVID. This groundbreaking research found COVID antigens in blood samples up to 14 months after infection and in tissue samples for more than two years.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·February 22, 2024·4 min readLong COVID’s Brain Fog Mysteries UnlockedResearchers made a groundbreaking discovery in the study of Long COVID, identifying that the integrity of blood vessels in the brain is compromised in patients experiencing brain fog and cognitive decline. The study utilized a novel MRI technique to reveal "leakiness" in the brain's blood vessels, providing an objective method to distinguish patients with neurological symptoms of Long COVID.Read More