Brain fog due to COVID is related to the obvious disruption of the blood-brain barrier [Studiu]

Although brain fog isn’t a medical term, you know it when you have it—thoughts seem slow, thinking seems muddled, and your brain just seems foggy. Also called “disturbance of consciousness,” brain fog is a common long-term symptom of COVID. New research suggests that a compromised blood-brain barrier is one of the causes of brain fog.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) ​​is composed of brain endothelial cells and surrounding cells, serving as a barrier between blood flow and the brain. When the BBB is compromised, harmful substances in the bloodstream can enter the brain, often leading to central nervous system disorders.

The study

A study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience in February found that patients in the acute phase of COVID-19 infection and those experiencing brain fog as a symptom of long-term COVID infection had an obvious disruption of the blood-brain barrier.

The researchers analyzed serum and plasma samples from 76 hospitalized patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, comparing them with 25 samples collected before the pandemic.

The results showed significant differences in serum and plasma analyzes between patients with mild, moderate and severe conditions and the control group.

In serum samples from long-term COVID patients with symptoms of brain fog, the level of a protein called S100β was found to be particularly high. High serum levels of this protein usually indicate a disruption of the blood-brain barrier.

Older patients showed relatively higher levels of S100β protein.

However, not all recovered people who were infected had a disruption of the blood-brain barrier. For example, some recovered people who had lost their sense of smell but did not have brain fog did not show distinct blood-brain barrier disturbances.

Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigations, the researchers found that patients with blood-brain barrier disruptions often had a decrease in brain volume and an increase in cerebrospinal fluid. The cerebrospinal fluid is found in the brain and in the spinal cord, which has the role of protecting them. However, an excessive amount of cerebrospinal fluid can also lead to a condition known as “hydrocephalus”.

Previous studies have also found that infection with COVID-19 can lead to brain atrophy. A 2022 study published by the University of Oxford indicated that following infection with COVID-19, patients experienced a significant decline in cognitive abilities and a decrease in brain volume, with volume loss ranging from 1.3 to 1.8 %.

The affected brain regions play a crucial role in memory and environmental perception. Even patients who had mild symptoms and did not require hospitalization showed signs of brain atrophy, with more pronounced effects seen in hospitalized patients.

6 ways COVID-19 damages the central nervous system

In addition to disrupting the BBB, another study highlighted the ways in which COVID-19 can affect the central nervous system:

1. The immune response of the respiratory system to COVID-19 can trigger neuroinflammation, which leads to the activation of immune cells in the brain and surrounding areas.

2. In rare cases, COVID-19 can directly infect the nervous system.

3. COVID-19 can trigger an autoimmune response, causing the immune system to attack the nervous system.

4. Latent herpesviruses can reactivate, leading to neuropathology.

5. Cerebrovascular and thrombotic diseases of the brain induced by COVID-19 can affect blood flow and, consequently, can cause neuroinflammation or ischemia of neuronal cells.

6. Severe infection can lead to pulmonary and multiorgan dysfunctions, causing hypoxemia, hypotension and metabolic disorders that can affect neuronal cells.

6 activities to eliminate brain fog

How can brain fog be alleviated for patients experiencing headaches, fatigue or memory loss after COVID-19? According to Andrew E. Budson, professor of neurology at Harvard Medical Schoolthe following activities can help eliminate brain fog:

1. Aerobic exercises. Start slowly, with sessions lasting two to three minutes. Gradually progress to 30 minutes per session, five days a week.

2. The Mediterranean diet is recognized as a brain-healthy diet. Foods like whole grains, olive oil, fruits, vegetables, nuts and beans can improve thinking, memory and overall brain health.

3. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption and drug abuse. Stay away from substances that can have a negative impact on the brain, giving it the best chance of recovery.

4. Get adequate sleep as this is when your brain and body flush out toxins and heal.

5. Get involved in social activities, as they not only improve your mood, but also your thinking and memory.

6. Pursue activities that are good for both body and mind, such as reading, playing games, learning new skills, doing crafts, listening to music, practicing meditation, and maintaining a positive attitude. All these activities can help improve thinking and memory.

Traditional Chinese herbal soup for brain health

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine can help relieve long-lasting COVID symptoms. Yu Man Fung, a registered Chinese medicine practitioner in Hong Kong, advises readers The Epoch Times a soup that stimulates the brain.

This soup is beneficial for people recovering, for relieving brain fog and for improving general well-being. It is easy to prepare and has a fresh and sweet taste that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Ingredients (2 servings):

• 9 grams of Cordyceps flowers

• 6 grams of Gastrodia root

• 15 grams of nuts

• 9 grams of Longan fruit

• 6 grams of wood ear mushroom

• 9 grams of goji berries

• 150 grams of pork brain or lean meat

Preparation:

1. Rinse and scald the pork brain or lean meat. It is pushed aside.

2. Soak the herbs in water for one to two hours, then wash and set aside.

3. Bring all the ingredients to the boil in 0.5 l of water, reduce the heat, then simmer for about an hour. Season with salt to taste and serve.

Cordyceps flower is a fungus that usually parasitizes insects. It is known as Cordyceps sinensis when mature and is a valuable Chinese medicinal plant. The Cordyceps flower used in food is grown on an environment and does not require insect parasitism. Although not as expensive as mature Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps flower is a nutritious food. Its active ingredients help protect nerve cells, improve memory, increase immune function, reduce fatigue and promote vascular health.

Gastrodiae Rhizoma, a medicinal plant commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has been found in medical research to be beneficial for mental health, improving conditions such as depression and anxiety.

It also helps protect nerve cells, improve memory and promote cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health. Studies have also shown that Gastrodiae Rhizoma can increase the diversity of beneficial bacteria in the gut, thus regulating brain function through the microbiome-gut-brain axis.

Nuts, which resemble the human brain, are considered in TCM to have brain-stimulating effects. A study by the University of California, Los Angeles indicated that people, both young and old, who regularly eat nuts tend to have better cognitive function.

Dried Longan fruit is commonly used in TCM to treat insomnia and forgetfulness. Research has found that the polysaccharides in Longan can protect nerves through antioxidant mechanisms.

The wood ear mushroom is a type of edible mushroom known for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It is also rich in dietary fiber, which is very beneficial for gut health.

Goji berries are also a popular health food, known for their sweet taste, and in TCM they are considered beneficial for extending life. Research has found that components in goji berries can help improve cognitive function and prevent neurodegenerative diseases.

In addition, Goji berries are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, which are sources of macular pigments in the eyes, offering a preventive effect against age-related macular degeneration.