New COVID-19 research showed deadly brain disorders could be a potential symptom of the virus. The journal, Brain found some adults with the virus displayed a wide range of serious brain disease symptoms. What’s perhaps more disturbing is that this was noted even when people were experiencing a mild case of the coronavirus. (1, 2)
Mild Symptoms And Brain Disorder
Mild symptoms of COVID-19 include fever or respiratory issues. However, according to the study, mild cases did not reduce the appearance of neurological symptoms. In fact, for some patients, the neurological symptoms were the only ones shown. Neurological issues occurred in patients ranging from 16 to 85 years of age. These patients experienced delirium or psychosis, strokes, and peripheral nerve problems on the hands and feet. (1)
Hallucinations And Confusion Signs Of Brain Disorder
In one case, a 55-year old woman with no history of mental illness was treated for COVID-19 with oxygen over a two-week period. Her symptoms included cough, fever, and muscle aches. However, four days after leaving the hospital, her husband found she was behaving strangely and appeared confused. (1)
The patient also became delusional, seeing lions and monkeys in her house. She became aggressive with her family as well as hospital staff. Anti-psychotic medication improved her symptoms after three weeks. However, the study does not indicate whether she had a full recovery. (1)
ADEM Brain Disorder
Nine patients suffered from a form of Acute Demyelinating Encephalomyelitis (ADEM). This causes the immune system to attack myelin, the covering that insulates the nerves in the central nervous system. When myelin is absent, or thin, nerves can’t effectively transmit information. This results in symptoms such as paralysis and cognitive issues. (1)
Although ADEM usually affects children, doctors diagnosed a 47-year old female COVID-19 patient displaying neurological problems with the disease. Surgeons had to relieve the pressure of her swollen brain by removing a part of her skull. (1)
Further Brain Disorder Research
According to a Twitter post by Dr. Michael Zandi, consultant neurologist from University College London Hospitals, and senior author of the paper, further studies require “research on the causes and treatments of neurological involvement, and surveillance and epidemiology.” (1)
Dr. Zandi also posted, “We saw a range of illnesses affecting the brain and nerves, including encephalopathies, encephalitis and ADEM, stroke, and nerve disease.” The doctor praised the team of authors who contributed to the study. Many were front line workers who came face to face with patients during the first wave of the pandemic. (1)
CoroNerve Program For Brain Disorder
The surveillance program, CoroNerve in the U.K. allows physicians to report neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19. The program hopes to get a better grasp on the virus’s effects on the brain. (1)
While new information regarding the growing spectrum of COVID-19 symptoms continues to unravel, the latest study reveals the different brain diseases potentially caused by infection. In hand with neurological symptoms, concerns over what other chronic health conditions COVID-19 might leave in its wake are growing. (1)
Even if neurological complications are rare, they still have the potential to create long-lasting effects, warn the study’s authors. What other long-lasting issues might arise are yet to be seen. (1)
