Disorientation, confusion, small oversights, forgetfulness, difficulties concentrating… These are some of the symptoms of the so-called brain fog. A cognitive impairment at the neurological level that has been presented as one of the persistent and frequent sequelae of COVID-19 that between 5 and 10% of those affected have suffered. But how does a respiratory illness lead to neurological problems like memory loss and decreased attention span
The question has stumped the medical community as it continues to study the long-term impact of COVID-19.
Brain fog is actually a syndrome .that already existed associated with other pathologies, but the Covid has given it a name. Similar pictures were seen in depression , anxiety or chronic headache.
In a recent article in the journal Neurology Clinical Practice , researchers from NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia University Irving Medical Center described possible neurological symptoms of COVID-19 that can include headache, fatigue, and dizziness, and doctors around the world country similarly report patients complaining of these symptoms along with memory loss, confusion, and difficulty concentrating.
The researchers who published an article in the Journal of InfectionThey followed 120 COVID-19 patients for three months after discharge, and about 30% said memory loss was a persistent problem, as was concentration. But it’s not just among patients who were hospitalized. Even people who had mild symptoms have reported these neurological problems.
CAUSES
There is still no clarity about the cause of this phenomenon, but several hypotheses prevail:
The inflammation caused by the virus causes an encephalopathy that affects the central lobe , which has to do with cognitive functions.
The great cellular inflammation that the virus can cause ends up altering the nervous system and, with it, the neurons.
SARS-CoV-2
is believed to cause endothelial (in blood vessels) and cardiovascular damage that can reach the brain.
SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL FOG
Mental fog is a painting that appears more commonly in severe Covid-19 patients, but is also observed in people who have had amild infection . Therefore, it could not be associated only with the severity of the disease. Yes, it is more common in women .
Difficulty in accessing semantic memory : The patient cannot find the word he wants to say.
Difficulties with episodic memory: He does not remember where he has left things.
Dysexecutive disorder : The patient has difficulty planning his day to day and organizing himself. “Something that seems simple and that we all do naturally, in the mental fog the person makes a mess when it comes to doing things, he doesn’t know what he has to do first…”, explains the neurologist.
BECAUSE COVID CAUSES MENTAL FOG
From the outset, it is ruled out that mental fog is due to the invasion of the virus in the brain . “It is very unlikely because SARS-CoV-2 has very little facility to enter the nervous system.”
Therefore, it is clear that the cause of this syndrome is not that the virus infects the brain. Others are more likely:
Imbalance of neurotransmitters. “Brain fog may be a consequence of the cytokine storm(inflammatory substances) that the virus causes and that gives rise to an imbalance between neurotransmitters.”
Anxiety or depression . “It may also be due to the increase in cases of anxiety and depression that are being experienced due to the pandemic. We must not forget that this syndrome appears in pictures of depression”.
Little strokes . “The cognitive symptoms of mental fog can also be a consequence of the mini-strokes caused by SARS CoV-2. These are small strokes that do not produce serious symptoms but do leave slight cognitive sequelae.”
HOW IS MENTAL FOG TREATED
If the cause is depression , it will have to be treated with antidepressants .
If there is an imbalance in the neurotransmitters ,neuromodulators can be administered .
If the origin is vascular due to small strokes , it can be treated with cognitive stimulation or even with antiaggregants if necessary.
If it is considered to be caused by avitamin deficiency supplements are given.
