A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that markers of brain injury can still be detected in the blood months after recovering from COVID-19, even when inflammation blood tests appear normal. This groundbreaking research was conducted by the University of Liverpool and King’s College London, in collaboration with scientists from the ISARIC4C consortium, The Pandemic Institute, and the NIHR BioResource.
The COVID-19 Clinical Neuroscience Study (COVID-CNS) analyzed samples from over 800 patients who had been hospitalized with COVID-19 across England and Wales. Half of these patients experienced new neurological conditions. The researchers examined brain injury markers, serum inflammatory proteins (cytokines), antibodies, and neuroglial injury proteins. Their analysis revealed that while key inflammatory proteins and brain injury markers were detected during the acute phase of the illness, there were still robust biomarkers indicating brain injury present in the blood months after hospital discharge. This phenomenon was more prominent in patients who had experienced neurological dysfunction during the acute phase and persisted in those who had suffered acute neurological complications.
The presence of inflammatory markers in the blood during the acute phase suggests abnormal immune responses. The researchers propose that targeting these markers could lead to potential therapies for COVID-19 and other infections that cause acute brain dysfunction.
Professor Benedict Michael, Principal Investigator and Director of the University of Liverpool’s Infection Neuroscience Laboratory, explains, Our study shows that markers of brain injury are present in the blood months after COVID-19, particularly in those who have experienced COVID-19-induced brain complications such as inflammation or stroke. This indicates the possibility of ongoing inflammation and injury inside the brain itself, which may go undetected by conventional blood tests for inflammation.
Professor Aras Kadioglu, Head of the Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Liverpool, emphasizes the significance of the study’s findings. He states, Liverpool has been at the forefront of research throughout the pandemic, and this important new study has identified ongoing brain injury markers in those who developed neurological complications during COVID-19, even months after their discharge from the hospital. The Liverpool team is now dedicated to understanding the implications of this discovery on cognitive function, independence, and recovery for those affected.
This breakthrough study sheds light on the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain and highlights the need for further research to fully understand the cognitive implications and potential treatment options for individuals who have experienced neurological complications as a result of the virus. By uncovering these findings, researchers hope to contribute valuable knowledge that can inform future strategies in combating COVID-19 and its impact on the neurological health of patients.
In the wake of this study, medical professionals and researchers worldwide will be closely monitoring the ongoing developments in COVID-19-related brain complications and working towards innovative solutions that will enhance patient care and improve outcomes for those affected.
