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COVID-19

·September 24, 2024·5 min read

Cognitive Impacts of COVID Equivalent to 20 Years of Brain Aging

A new study reveals that 12-18 months after hospitalization for COVID-19, patients show significant cognitive decline comparable to 20 years of aging. MRI scans and blood tests also show brain injury markers and reduced brain volume in these patients. The findings suggest that COVID-19 has lasting effects on brain health, even in those without neurological complications.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 9, 2024·5 min read

COVID Pandemic Hastened Brain Aging in Teens

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated brain maturation in adolescents, particularly girls, with their brains aging by an average of 4.2 years. The study links this acceleration to the stress of reduced social interaction during lockdowns, affecting brain regions responsible for emotional regulation.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·August 27, 2024·6 min read

COVID’s Inflammation Linked to Long-Term Brain Effects

New research uncovers how COVID-19 may cause neuroinflammation, leading to persistent neurological symptoms even after recovery. The study found elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and significant changes in cerebrospinal fluid among hospitalized patients, highlighting the brain's vulnerability to the virus.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·August 23, 2024·3 min read

COVID’s Spike Protein Enhances Ability to Infect Brain

Researchers have discovered a mutation in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that enhances its ability to infect the central nervous system, potentially explaining neurological symptoms and “long COVID.” The mutation was found to allow the virus to better infiltrate the brain, with implications for future treatments targeting COVID-19’s effects on the brain. The findings highlight the need for specific therapies to address these neurological complications.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·August 19, 2024·5 min read

Long COVID Linked to Brain Inflammation and Low Cortisol

A 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.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·June 27, 2024·4 min read

COVID-19 Vaccines May Reduce Virus-Induced Memory Problems

COVID-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.

This shows a man in a facemask holding a cannabis plant.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 21, 2024·7 min read

Cannabis Use Linked to Severe COVID-19

Cannabis 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.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·June 2, 2024·10 min read

Long COVID Brain Fog: Impact and Coping Strategies

Long 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.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 19, 2024·4 min read

Pre-Pandemic Brain Wiring Predicted Teen Mental Health During COVID

A 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.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·May 14, 2024·5 min read

COVID-19 May Damage Vision

Researchers discovered that SARS-CoV-2 can penetrate the blood-retinal barrier, potentially causing long-term eye damage.

This shows a woman in a doctor's office.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 7, 2024·5 min read

Addiction Medication Offers New Hope for Long COVID Patients

Researchers 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.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 22, 2024·7 min read

COVID-19 Didn’t Delay Development As Much As Believed

A 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.

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COVID-19

Cognitive Impacts of COVID Equivalent to 20 Years of Brain Aging

COVID Pandemic Hastened Brain Aging in Teens

COVID’s Inflammation Linked to Long-Term Brain Effects

COVID’s Spike Protein Enhances Ability to Infect Brain

Long COVID Linked to Brain Inflammation and Low Cortisol

COVID-19 Vaccines May Reduce Virus-Induced Memory Problems

Cannabis Use Linked to Severe COVID-19

Long COVID Brain Fog: Impact and Coping Strategies

Pre-Pandemic Brain Wiring Predicted Teen Mental Health During COVID

COVID-19 May Damage Vision

Addiction Medication Offers New Hope for Long COVID Patients

COVID-19 Didn’t Delay Development As Much As Believed

Left-Handed Creativity Myth Debunked

Tiny RNA Mark Helps Explain Brain Wiring and Mental Disorders

Brain Tracks Emotional Transitions Through Music

People Prefer Human Empathy, Even When AI Says the Same Thing

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