September 1, 2023 – A brand new study links long-term cognitive problems attributable to COVID, resembling: B. Brain Fog, and better levels of proteins known to be involved in the way in which blood clots.
Some scientists have noted the likelihood that tiny blood clots may restrict blood flow to vital organs during a COVID infection. The authors of this latest study wrote that their results show the necessity to study the connection between blood clotting and long COVID.
The study, conducted within the United Kingdom, was published this week within the journal Natural medicine. Researchers reviewed blood tests from 1,837 people hospitalized with COVID-19. The average age of the study participants was 58 years, 58% were men.
Six and twelve months after hospitalization, participants underwent formal cognitive testing. They also shared their thoughts on their brain function after COVID-19 illness.
People with elevated protein levels on the time of their COVID-19 infection later suffered persistent and severe problems with memory, concentration and considering. One of the proteins identified at elevated levels in affected Long COVID patients is named fibrinogen, the opposite is a protein fragment called D-dimer.
“Both fibrinogen and D-dimer are involved in blood clotting, and therefore the results support the hypothesis that blood clots are a cause of cognitive problems after COVID,” said study creator and University of Oxford biomedical researcher Max Taquet, Ph.D ., in a single opinion. “Fibrinogen may act directly on the brain and its blood vessels, while D-dimer is often due to blood clots in the lungs and the problems in the brain may be due to lack of oxygen.” Consistent with this possibility, individuals with high levels of D-dimer Not only do they put a better risk of brain fog, but in addition a better risk of respiratory problems.”
People with elevated D-dimer levels also reported difficulty working or holding a job.
No association has been found between elevated fibrinogen and non-cognitive long-COVID symptoms resembling fatigue, shortness of breath, problems exercising, pain, depression or anxiety.
Researchers found a link between elevated D-dimer levels, fatigue and shortness of breath.
Understanding the causes of brain fog and other cognitive problems that affect individuals with long COVID is a vital step toward treatment or prevention, the authors write. For example, one other study could include brain imaging, which could make clear whether it will be helpful to present blood-thinning medications during an energetic COVID infection, the authors suggested.
They found that elevated protein levels weren’t linked to people having cognitive problems before the COVID infection.