Researchers from Amsterdam UMC and UMC Utrecht saw inflammation throughout the brain in two patients with long-term symptoms after a coronavirus infection. This has not previously been demonstrated in living people with long Covid. "Additional research is needed to know what the connection is between these inflammations and long Covid," says researcher Denise Visser from Amsterdam UMC. The findings have been published online 'in preprint'.
There are several studies underway into the relationship between long covid and specific organs such as the heart or respiratory muscle. These new findings show for the first time 'in vivo' (in living people) damage to the brain. “We would like to know why people continue to experience fatigue and cognitive complaints for so long after a coronavirus infection,” says nuclear physician Bart van Berckel of Amsterdam UMC. “The fact that we are now seeing inflammation throughout the brain is striking and there may be a link between long covid and this global brain inflammation. A study with a larger number of patients will hopefully provide more clarity on this.”
121% more inflamed brain cells
The two patients studied have a different course of the disease. The male patient was in the ICU and is partially back at work. The younger female patient had mild corona symptoms and is still on sick leave. In both cases, brain inflammation can be seen throughout the brain. The inflammation was increased by 76% and 121% respectively compared to that in the brains of healthy people. For science, these are important starting points for further research.
Advanced Scan
The patients underwent an advanced, very expensive and burdensome scan that showed the inflammatory response on screen. These scans are not available in regular healthcare. The researchers are considering how to make such a scan less expensive and more accessible. “It is currently not possible to request such a scan from a GP or hospital,” says project leader Nelleke Tolboom of UMC Utrecht. “A selection of patients has already been made for additional research. It is not possible to register for this.”
In preprint
It is still unknown how to treat patients with these inflammations. It is also unknown whether every patient with long Covid shows the same inflammatory response. The research group wants to find this out with additional research. "We still don't know a lot, but these were the first two patients with long Covid to be included in this study, and we felt that this data was too important not to publish at this stage." That is why this study, funded by the ZonMw COVID-19 program, is now in preprint published. It has not yet been peer reviewed by fellow scientists. A preprint study gives other scientists in the world the opportunity to learn from it and work together for more results.
