The latest research has found that brain fog caused by the new coronavirus is related to damage to the blood-brain barrier. (Pavlova Yuliia/Shutterstock)
[The Epoch Times, March 14, 2024](Reported by Epoch Times reporters Wang Jiayi and Zhang Xiaohui) Brain fog is a common sequelae of the new coronavirus. A latest study found that damage to the blood-brain barrier is one of the causes of brain fog.
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is composed of cerebral vascular endothelial cells and surrounding cells. It can regulate the movement of molecules in and out of the blood and brain, and protect the central nervous system from foreign substances, hormones and neurotransmitters in the blood. If the blood-brain barrier is damaged, harmful substances in the blood will enter the brain, often causing central nervous system diseases. In February 2024, the magazine “Nature Neuroscience” published aResearch. Researchers have found that the blood-brain barrier is significantly damaged in both patients in the acute infection stage of the new coronavirus and patients with brain fog sequelae after infection.
The researchers analyzed serum and plasma samples from 76 hospitalized patients infected with the new coronavirus and compared them with 25 samples collected before the outbreak. The results showed that the serum and plasma of mild, moderate and severe patients were significantly different from those of the control group.
The protein S100β was found to be particularly high in serum samples from COVID-19 patients with brain fog symptoms. This protein is mainly found in astrocytes in the brain. If it enters the serum in large amounts, it is usually a signal that the blood-brain barrier is damaged. The S100β protein in the serum of older patients is relatively higher, reflecting that the elderly are more likely to damage the blood-brain barrier after infection with the new coronavirus.
However, not all people who have recovered from the epidemic have a damaged blood-brain barrier. For example, people who have lost their sense of smell but do not have brain fog have no obvious damage to the blood-brain barrier.
MRI scans of patients have found that patients with damaged blood-brain barriers often have smaller brain volumes and increased cerebrospinal fluid. Cerebrospinal fluid is the fluid in the brain and spinal cord that protects the spinal cord and brain. However, too much cerebrospinal fluid can also cause a disease called “hydrocephalus.”
Earlier research also confirmed that infection with the virus can cause the brain to shrink.A study published by Oxford University in 2022Research, found that after infection with the new coronavirus, patients’ cognitive abilities decreased significantly and brain volume decreased, especially the volume loss of the parahippocampal gyrus, perirhinal cortex and entorhinal cortex ranged from 1.3% to 1.8%. This brain region It plays an important role in memory and perception of the environment. Even mildly ill patients who were not hospitalized showed brain shrinkage, and this was especially pronounced in hospitalized patients.
6 ways viruses damage the central nervous system
AlsoResearchDescribe the following main ways that COVID-19 may affect the central nervous system:
1. The immune response of the respiratory system to the new coronavirus may cause neuroinflammation and induce immune cells in and around the brain to become active;
2. In rare cases, the new coronavirus may directly infect the nervous system;
3. The new coronavirus may cause autoimmune diseases, causing the immune system to attack the nervous system;
4. Latent herpes virus may reactivate and cause neuropathy;
5. Cerebrovascular diseases and thrombosis caused by the new coronavirus may affect blood flow, destroy the blood-brain barrier function, and then lead to neuroinflammation or nerve cell ischemia;
6. Severe infection can lead to lung and multiple organ dysfunction, which may cause hypoxemia, hypotension and metabolic disorders, thereby damaging nerve cells.
Expert: Do more 6 types of brain-building activities
How can patients who develop headaches, fatigue, or memory loss after contracting COVID-19 recover from brain fog as quickly as possible? Andrew E. Budson, Lecturer in Neurology, Harvard Medical SchoolWrite an articleSays the following brain-boosting activities are helpful:
1. Do aerobic exercise. You can start slowly, doing exercises for two to three minutes each time and several times a day. It is recommended to eventually exercise five days a week and exercise for 30 minutes a day.
Aerobic exercise can help treat brain fog. (Health Development Notes/The Epoch Times)
2. The Mediterranean diet is recognized as a brain-building diet, including olive oil, fruits and vegetables, nuts and beans, and whole grains, etc., which can improve thinking, memory, and promote brain health.
3. Avoid alcohol and drug abuse. Give your brain the best chance of recovery by staying away from these substances that can negatively impact your brain.
4. Get good sleep. Sleep is the time when the brain and body clear out toxins and restore health.
5. Participating in social activities not only improves your mood, but also improves your thinking and memory skills.
6. Do more activities that are beneficial to the body and mind, such as reading, playing games, learning new skills, doing handicrafts, listening to music, practicing mindfulness meditation, and maintaining a positive attitude, which are all helpful for thinking and memory.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Bu Nao Yizhi Decoction
Traditional Chinese medicine and dietary therapy can also improve the sequelae of COVID-19. Yu Man Fung, a registered Chinese medicine practitioner in Hong Kong, introduced to The Epoch Times a brain-tonifying and intelligence-enhancing soup, which is suitable for people who have recovered from the epidemic to regulate their physique and improve brain fog. This soup is simple to make, sweet and delicious, and can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Ingredients (for 2 people):
Cordyceps flower 3 yen (9g), gastrodia elata 2 yen (6g), walnut 5 yen (15g), round meat (dried longan meat) 3 yen (9g), fungus 2 yen (6g), wolfberry 3 yen (9g), About 4 taels of pig brain or lean meat (150g)
practice:
1) Wash the pig brain or lean meat and boil it in water for later use;
2) Soak the medicinal materials for 1-2 hours, wash and set aside;
3) Add water to the above ingredients and bring to a boil. Turn to low heat and simmer for about 1 hour. Add salt to taste and serve.
Cordyceps flowerIt is a kind of fungus that usually parasitizes in the bodies of insects. When it matures, it is called “Cordyceps sinensis”. It is a valuable Chinese medicinal material. Cordyceps flowers, which are usually used as food, are fungi cultivated in culture media and do not need to be parasitic on insects. Although not as valuable as Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps flower is also a nutritious food. The active ingredients in it can help protect nerve cells, improve memory, enhance immune function, fight fatigue, and promote blood vessel health.
Gastrodia elata is a brain-tonifying herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine.modern medicineResearchIt has been found that Gastrodia elata can improve mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. It can also protect nerve cells, improve memory, and be beneficial to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health.besidesResearchIt was found that taking Gastrodia elata can help increase the types of intestinal probiotics, thereby regulating brain function through the microbiome-gut-brain axis.
Gastrodia elata is a brain-tonifying herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. (Shutterstock)
Walnuts are shaped like a brain and indeed have the effect of nourishing the brain.University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)ResearchIt was found that whether they are young or elderly, people who eat more walnuts generally have better cognitive abilities.
Yuanmei is sun-dried longan meat, which is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat insomnia and forgetfulness.ResearchIt was found that the longan polysaccharide in round meat can protect nerves through an antioxidant mechanism.
fungusIt is a health-preserving fungus with antioxidant and antibacterial effects. Fungus is also rich in dietary fiber, which is very beneficial to intestinal health.
Wolfberry is also a popular health food with a sweet taste. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that it has the effect of prolonging life.ResearchIt has been found that the components in wolfberry can help improve cognitive ability and prevent neurodegenerative diseases. Wolfberry is rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, which are the source of yellow pigments in the eyes and can prevent age-related macular degeneration. @
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Editor in charge: Zhang Xiaohui
2024-03-13 23:49:19
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