Covid and the brain - A neurological health crisis

Speaker: Michelle Monje, a neuroscientist and neuro-oncologist at Stanford University
Topic: The neurological health crisis stemming from COVID-19 and its potential long-term impacts

Concern: High rates of persistent neurological symptoms in COVID-19 survivors, including cognitive impairments such as difficulty paying attention and processing information
Prevalence: As of May 2022, over 526 million cases globally with estimates of 1 in 4 people experiencing cognitive symptoms before vaccination availability
Symptom Similarity: Comparison of COVID-19 induced "Brain Fog" to "chemo brain/fog" experienced by individuals post-cancer therapy, highlighting similar symptoms and cellular changes

Brain Inflammation: COVID-19 can cause a significant inflammatory response in the brain, leading to dysregulation of various cell types and affecting cognitive function
Mechanism: The immune response to the virus, even in mild respiratory infections, can trigger neuroinflammation through signaling molecules traveling from the lungs to the brain

Microglia and Astrocytes: These types of brain immune cells become reactive during the inflammatory response, initiating a cascade of events that disrupt the normal functioning of other brain cells.
Dysregulation of Glial Cells: The reactive state affects other glial cells that form insulation around axons, disrupting the communication between Neurons and leading to cognitive impairments.
Neuroinflammation: This can have lasting consequences on cognitive functions, affecting the balance necessary for healthy cognitive functioning and manifesting as symptoms like "Brain Fog."
Laboratory Findings: Studies in laboratories using human samples and mice models have shown a profound inflammatory response in the brain due to COVID-19, indicating that the immune response to the virus is a significant contributor to the neurological symptoms observed.

Current Situation: Increasing COVID-19 infections among children
Future Research: Plans to study the effects of early life exposure to the virus on brain development, plasticity, and cognition
Advice for Caregivers: Encouragement for parents, teachers, and physicians to monitor children for cognitive issues post-COVID

Hope for Recovery: Drawing parallels with "chemo brain," Monje suggests the possibility of reversing the cognitive impairments seen in mild COVID-19 cases
Urgency: Emphasizes the urgent need to understand the neurobiological responses to COVID-19 to develop effective therapies and prevent potential long-term neurological diseases
Mitigation Efforts: Advocacy for continued vigilance in mitigation efforts, including maximizing vaccination to minimize the pandemic's long-term damage

Call to Action: Urgent call for understanding the neurobiology underlying the initial response to COVID-19 to develop therapies and prevent long-term neurological consequences
Hopeful Note: Despite the severe impacts, there is hope grounded in the potential reversibility of the cognitive impairments seen in mild COVID-19 cases