COVID-19 could lead to brain damage, scientists warn

A new study suggests COVID-19 could lead to long-term brain damage, including neurological complications like delirium and psychosis.

What’s happening:

Researchers at the University College London reviewed 43 cases of COVID-19 patients who suffered from temporary brain dysfunction, strokes, nerve damage or other effects, according to Reuters.

According to CNN, the researchers found:

• 10 cases of “temporary or brain dysfunction” and delirium.
• 12 cases of brain inflammation.
• Eight cases of strokes.
• Eight cases of nerve damage.

The combination of cases suggested — like previous research — that the COVID-19 disease can lead to brain damage.

“We should be vigilant and look out for these complications in people who have had COVID-19,” said joint senior author Dr. Michael Zandi in a press release.

“Whether we will see an epidemic on a large scale of brain damage linked to the pandemic — perhaps similar to the encephalitis lethargica outbreak in the 1920s and 1930s after the 1918 influenza pandemic — remains to be seen,” said Zandi, from UCL’s Institute of Neurology.

Additional notes:

• The researchers said nine patients in the study had acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), a rare condition often seen in children caused by viral infections, Reuters reports.
• Scientists said they used to see one case per month. During the study period, they saw one per week, Reuters reports.