Scientists Find Evidence of Brain Damage in COVID-19 Positive Patients – New Warning!

Scientists have released a new warning which is linked to the novel coronavirus infection. They suggest that certain evidences point towards the possibility of COVID-19 causing severe neurological complications in humans.

These neurological complications include inflammation, delirium, and psychosis. Researchers at University College London (UCL) have published a study which shows that 43 people who have suffered from COVID-19 have suffered from brain dysfunctions, stokes, or brain damages. Michael Zandi, from UCL said, “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 1920s and 1930s after the 1918 influenza pandemic remains to be seen.” The study has also said that nine of the patients were diagnosed with Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) which is a rare condition. The team of doctors have also said that previously, they would only see about one case a month but since the pandemic, several cases have come up.

“My worry is that we have millions of people with COVID-19 now. And if in  a year’s time we have 10 million recovered people, and those people have cognitive deficits… then that’s going to affect their ability to work and their ability to go about activities of daily living,” Adrian Owen, Neuroscientist told the Reuters.

“Given that the disease has only been around for a matter of months, we might not yet know what long-term damage COVID-19 can cause. Doctors need to be aware of possible neurological effects, as early diagnosis can improve patient outcomes,” said Ross Paterson who was part of the team at UCL in conducting the study.

Owen has added that he is running an international research project where patients who have had COVID-19 can sign up to check if their brain functions have been altered after the infection. He added, “This disease is affecting an enormous number of people. That’s why it’s so important to collect this information now.”