Brain fog and long-term neurological complications of COVID-19

Brain fog and long-term neurological complications of COVID-19

Even after the peak of the coronavirus pandemic subsided, millions around the world are still experiencing what is known as "long COVID," specifically a mysterious and perplexing symptom called "brain fog." This term describes a general feeling of confusion, slowed mental processing, difficulty concentrating, and short-term memory loss. The scientific analysis of this condition goes beyond simply attributing it to psychological symptoms or fatigue; it points to real physiological changes occurring in the brain as a result of the viral infection. Recent studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have shown that patients with brain fog may have minor damage to the brain's white matter or shrinkage in specific areas, such as the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for coordination and planning. Research has also revealed that the cerebrospinal fluid of some patients contains abnormal levels of proteins that may indicate encephalitis or a compromised blood-…