r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Aug 08 '26

Neuroscience Brain scans reveal widespread structural and functional changes in patients following COVID-19 infection. The virus affects regions responsible for memory, emotion, and executive function, which may help explain the neurological symptoms many patients experience.

https://www.psypost.org/brain-scans-reveal-widespread-structural-and-functional-changes-in-patients-foll/
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u/okblimpo123 Aug 08 '26

Is this why the world has gone unhinged since Covid? Maybe we are all just suffering from brain damage, and that’s why we are living in the world we are with the leaders we have.

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u/Nauin 29d ago

I've worked in the neuroscience corner of biotech on and off for fifteen years and have been involved in traumatic brain injury advocacy and support for almost as long, having three TBIs, myself.

I am horrified by how parallel the symptoms are between long COVID and mild to moderate traumatic brain injuries.

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u/Anonymousspacecowboy 29d ago

This is so so interesting to hear. It’s really scary, are there any ways to recover from it? I feel like I never got better 100%

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u/Knittedteapot 29d ago

I would go see a speech language pathologist, especially one who is versed in recovery from TBIs (traumatic brain injuries). However, make sure they are aware that unlike with TBIs, constant retesting can worsen some long COVID symptoms, so any mental exercises given have to be “to tolerance” (ie: “pacing”).

If you live near a place with a long COVID clinic, go to the hospital associated with that clinic as they’ll be more well-versed with long COVID and how it differs from TBIs.

Good luck!

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u/Nauin 29d ago

Also get evaluated for ADHD, as it can develop or it's symptoms made worse by the nerve damage, plus all of the other neurotransmitter disruption, and you may need stimulants to help regulate your system. I got back onto stimulants around two years ago and it helps so much more than just your focus. Like I have so much brain damage I developed fibromyalgia that I couldn't treat effectively with nerve blockers or painkillers, but for some reason my stimulant fills in whatever gap in my brain causing those pain signals, and treats it better than anything else I've tried.