Researchers figure out how COVID causes mental fog

As scientists work to comprehend the virus’s many long-term ramifications, the coronavirus pandemic is still having an impact on the globe today.

One example is brain fog, a disorder that causes cognitive problems including memory loss and learning difficulties. It results in a state of mental disarray, haziness, or trouble focusing. It might appear as generalized cognitive sluggishness, difficulty focusing, forgetfulness, and difficulty recalling information.

It has now been determined by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have now determined what mechanism leads to this neurological disorder. The results are based on research conducted on mice infected with the COVID-19 virus, SARS-CoV-2.

Because mice and humans share many genetic, physiological, and behavioral traits, mice are useful models for researching neurological illnesses and disorders in humans. This is why mice are employed in neurological research.

According to information released in the journal Brain, scientists concentrated on the blood-brain barrier since it is involved in several neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis.

According to the study, ordinarily, this barrier shields the brain from potentially hazardous bloodstream-circulating cells or compounds. However, researchers discovered that the infected mice had compromised memory or learning as well as leaky blood-brain barrier vessels.

COVID-19
A considerable reduction in a signaling pathway known as Wnt/beta-catenin, which supports the integrity of the blood-brain barrier and shields the brain from harm, was discovered by researchers examining blood vessels from the brains of sick mice in order to identify which genes were most changed.

In order to better understand risk factors for cognitive impairment in older individuals infected with COVID-19, the research team concentrated on studying older mice. They monitored the mice’s minor illnesses in particular. The majority of COVID-19 cases in people now after immunization are caused by mild infections as opposed to serious ones.

According to this study, enhancing the blood-brain barrier’s integrity may help to avoid COVID-19-related problems. A key takeaway from the COVID-19 pandemic is that organs, including the brain, may be severely impacted by even small infections.