New Imaging Links Long COVID Brain Fog to Receptor Overload

In October 2020, then 69-year-old Chicago resident Linda Tomcow tested positive for COVID-19. A chest X-ray later showed pneumonia after several weeks of illness. In May 2021, she began cognitive rehabilitation for ongoing symptoms. Doctors also found mild brain scarring caused by COVID-19.

The scarring was believed to be behind her severe brain fog symptoms. Tomcow sought help from many specialists, including a pulmonologist and neurologist. She also visited a neuropsychologist, psychiatrist, occupational therapist, and physical therapist.

Tomcow represents thousands who live with Long COVID brain fog. This broad term refers to lasting fatigue and cognitive difficulties. In one recent study, researchers used brain imaging to find a biomarker. The biomarker was connected to brain fog in Long COVID patients.

What is the Connection between Brain Fog and Long COVID?

Over 80 percent of people with Long COVID experience brain fog symptoms. This type of cognitive impairment makes work and daily life harder. Hundreds of millions of Long COVID cases continue worldwide. The condition is now considered a major global health burden.

Long COVID is also seen as a threat to economic stability. Its root biological causes remain debated among researchers. Some studies used imaging to show changes in patient brain structure. But these findings could not fully explain molecular causes of impairment.

Molecules that help neurons communicate are very difficult to study. Before this study, no concrete biomarkers confirmed a Long COVID diagnosis. Biomarkers are critical tools for guiding treatment and drug development. They also help researchers design more effective Long COVID medicines.

What Biomarker Did Researchers Link to Brain Fog Symptoms?

New research published in Brain Communications may explain Long COVID brain fog. A team from Yokohama City University’s Graduate School of Medicine led the study. They focused on AMPA receptors, also called AMPARs, which are vital for memory. AMPARs have also been studied in psychiatric and neurological disorders.

Previous research linked AMPARs to depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and dementia. Researchers developed a new imaging method to directly see AMPAR density. This allowed them to count and measure the receptors in brain tissue.

The study compared 30 Long COVID patients with 80 healthy participants. Patients with Long COVID showed a sharp increase in AMPAR density. This receptor overexpression correlated directly with cognitive impairment symptoms.

Researchers also found multiple inflammatory markers alongside the higher AMPAR levels. This suggests that receptor oversaturation may be triggering brain inflammation. The study proposes this as a cause of Long COVID brain fog.

Conclusion

A recent study links AMPAR brain receptor overexpression to brain fog in Long COVID. Increased receptor density also appeared with inflammatory markers in patients. These findings may explain cognitive symptoms and guide future treatments.

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Logan Hamilton is a health and wellness freelance writer for hire. He’s passionate about crafting crystal-clear, captivating, and credible content that elevates brands and establishes trust. When not writing, Logan can be found hiking, sticking his nose in bizarre books, or playing drums in a local rock band. Find him at loganjameshamilton.com.