Brain fog: the new long COVID symptom

The elusive nature of brain fog

The elusive nature of brain fog, Beyond COVID, Chronic illness and cognitive challenges, Shared symptoms, Functional deficits, Dismissal of symptoms, Autoantibodies, Leaky blood-brain barrier, The hormonal connection, Traumatic brain injuries, Microbial imbalance, Seeking medical assessment, Repurposing drugs, Immunotherapy

Despite its prevalence, brain fog remains a poorly defined medical phenomenon, often lacking a clear diagnostic criterion. Scientists have only recently started piecing together what causes it.

Beyond COVID

The elusive nature of brain fog, Beyond COVID, Chronic illness and cognitive challenges, Shared symptoms, Functional deficits, Dismissal of symptoms, Autoantibodies, Leaky blood-brain barrier, The hormonal connection, Traumatic brain injuries, Microbial imbalance, Seeking medical assessment, Repurposing drugs, Immunotherapy

Although COVID-19 brought the term “brain fog” into public awareness, it has long been recognized in people suffering from chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, and even as a side effect of medications or chemotherapy.

Chronic illness and cognitive challenges

The elusive nature of brain fog, Beyond COVID, Chronic illness and cognitive challenges, Shared symptoms, Functional deficits, Dismissal of symptoms, Autoantibodies, Leaky blood-brain barrier, The hormonal connection, Traumatic brain injuries, Microbial imbalance, Seeking medical assessment, Repurposing drugs, Immunotherapy

Patients battling chronic conditions frequently describe brain fog as one of the most debilitating symptoms. Common complaints include an inability to focus, mental confusion, forgetfulness, and a general slowing down of thought processes that interfere with everyday living.

Shared symptoms

The elusive nature of brain fog, Beyond COVID, Chronic illness and cognitive challenges, Shared symptoms, Functional deficits, Dismissal of symptoms, Autoantibodies, Leaky blood-brain barrier, The hormonal connection, Traumatic brain injuries, Microbial imbalance, Seeking medical assessment, Repurposing drugs, Immunotherapy

Regardless of the underlying condition, brain fog manifests similarly across different illnesses. Neuropsychologists have noted that this includes clouded thinking, poor memory, and sluggish cognition.

Functional deficits

The elusive nature of brain fog, Beyond COVID, Chronic illness and cognitive challenges, Shared symptoms, Functional deficits, Dismissal of symptoms, Autoantibodies, Leaky blood-brain barrier, The hormonal connection, Traumatic brain injuries, Microbial imbalance, Seeking medical assessment, Repurposing drugs, Immunotherapy

Experts believe brain fog reflects issues in critical cognitive functions. It indicates that the brain is not operating optimally, even if standard medical tests don’t show measurable abnormalities.

Dismissal of symptoms

The elusive nature of brain fog, Beyond COVID, Chronic illness and cognitive challenges, Shared symptoms, Functional deficits, Dismissal of symptoms, Autoantibodies, Leaky blood-brain barrier, The hormonal connection, Traumatic brain injuries, Microbial imbalance, Seeking medical assessment, Repurposing drugs, Immunotherapy

There is a tendency among some healthcare providers to attribute brain fog purely to psychological causes. This bias particularly affects people with long COVID or chronic illnesses, and contributes to a delay in treatment.

Autoantibodies

The elusive nature of brain fog, Beyond COVID, Chronic illness and cognitive challenges, Shared symptoms, Functional deficits, Dismissal of symptoms, Autoantibodies, Leaky blood-brain barrier, The hormonal connection, Traumatic brain injuries, Microbial imbalance, Seeking medical assessment, Repurposing drugs, Immunotherapy

In some cases, COVID-19 prompts the production of autoantibodies, which mistakenly attack healthy brain cells. This autoimmune response may further aggravate neuroinflammation and cause persistent cognitive deficits in individuals recovering from the virus.

Leaky blood-brain barrier

The elusive nature of brain fog, Beyond COVID, Chronic illness and cognitive challenges, Shared symptoms, Functional deficits, Dismissal of symptoms, Autoantibodies, Leaky blood-brain barrier, The hormonal connection, Traumatic brain injuries, Microbial imbalance, Seeking medical assessment, Repurposing drugs, Immunotherapy

A recent study found that many long COVID patients with brain fog had leaky blood-brain barriers. This barrier normally protects the brain from harmful substances, but when compromised, it can let in toxins and worsen cognitive dysfunction.

The hormonal connection

The elusive nature of brain fog, Beyond COVID, Chronic illness and cognitive challenges, Shared symptoms, Functional deficits, Dismissal of symptoms, Autoantibodies, Leaky blood-brain barrier, The hormonal connection, Traumatic brain injuries, Microbial imbalance, Seeking medical assessment, Repurposing drugs, Immunotherapy

Changes in hormone levels, such as during menopause, have been associated with reductions in brain region sizes and cognitive performance. These hormonal shifts might be a significant but underexplored factor contributing to brain fog symptoms.

Traumatic brain injuries

The elusive nature of brain fog, Beyond COVID, Chronic illness and cognitive challenges, Shared symptoms, Functional deficits, Dismissal of symptoms, Autoantibodies, Leaky blood-brain barrier, The hormonal connection, Traumatic brain injuries, Microbial imbalance, Seeking medical assessment, Repurposing drugs, Immunotherapy

Brain fog symptoms are also common after traumatic brain injuries. These cases often involve low levels of growth hormone, which can affect brain function and mimic the same cognitive difficulties seen in long COVID and other conditions.

Microbial imbalance

The elusive nature of brain fog, Beyond COVID, Chronic illness and cognitive challenges, Shared symptoms, Functional deficits, Dismissal of symptoms, Autoantibodies, Leaky blood-brain barrier, The hormonal connection, Traumatic brain injuries, Microbial imbalance, Seeking medical assessment, Repurposing drugs, Immunotherapy

Researchers believe the gut-brain connection might play a role in long COVID-related brain fog as well. Disruptions in gut bacteria could contribute to inflammation and brain changes, although this hypothesis still requires further investigation.

Seeking medical assessment

The elusive nature of brain fog, Beyond COVID, Chronic illness and cognitive challenges, Shared symptoms, Functional deficits, Dismissal of symptoms, Autoantibodies, Leaky blood-brain barrier, The hormonal connection, Traumatic brain injuries, Microbial imbalance, Seeking medical assessment, Repurposing drugs, Immunotherapy

Persistent or severe brain fog should prompt a visit to a doctor. Clinicians can rule out reversible causes (such as sleep apnea or nutritional deficiencies) and look for signs of inflammation or neurodegenerative diseases.

Repurposing drugs

The elusive nature of brain fog, Beyond COVID, Chronic illness and cognitive challenges, Shared symptoms, Functional deficits, Dismissal of symptoms, Autoantibodies, Leaky blood-brain barrier, The hormonal connection, Traumatic brain injuries, Microbial imbalance, Seeking medical assessment, Repurposing drugs, Immunotherapy

Some patients (especially those with chemo-related brain fog) report improvements with ADHD medications. These treatments may help improve focus and attention, though more research is needed to determine their broader effectiveness.

Immunotherapy

The elusive nature of brain fog, Beyond COVID, Chronic illness and cognitive challenges, Shared symptoms, Functional deficits, Dismissal of symptoms, Autoantibodies, Leaky blood-brain barrier, The hormonal connection, Traumatic brain injuries, Microbial imbalance, Seeking medical assessment, Repurposing drugs, Immunotherapy

Medical practitioners are also looking into intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as a means of treatment. It involves the infusion of donated antibodies, which is typically done for autoimmune diseases. The goal is to suppress harmful immune activity and protect brain cells from damage.

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