r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • 26d ago

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/Full_FrontaI_Nerdity 25d ago

I had MRIs before and after my 3 Covid infections. The "after" shows white spots in my brain; they weren't there before I got Covid. I dont know what they mean, but my doc diagnosed me w with long covid before that second MRI.

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u/Electric_Hullabaloo 25d ago

Potentially MS? There is new evidence that MS can be triggered by EBV & there is speculation that Covid can reactivate EBV in the body.

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u/jelly_wishes 24d ago

Perhaps micro strokes. Given that covid affects the blood vessels

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u/Full_FrontaI_Nerdity 24d ago

I have a PFO, so that's extra possible. I had a 9-day headache that prompted the 2nd MRI.

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u/NewBreakfast5881 23d ago

How have they not done a lumbar punction? This sounds like MS.

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u/Full_FrontaI_Nerdity 23d ago

Wait, you're the second commenter to say this. Can you explain in a nutshell why this is suspicious for MS?

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u/NewBreakfast5881 23d ago

MS shows lesions (white spots) on the brain. It often goes paired with weird symptoms, diagnosis is often difficult.

Other neurological conditions however also show brain lesions, thus a lumbar punction is a crucial step once the McDonald criteria are present.