A brain scan has revealed the science behind the symptoms.
Scientists in Japan have identified a biological cause behind the "mental fog" experienced by many patients with Long COVID, a discovery that could lead to reliable diagnosis and treatment.
A team from Yokohama City University used an advanced brain imaging method to detect abnormal increases in AMPA receptors (AMPARs) – molecules essential for learning and memory – in people affected by Long COVID. These elevated levels of the receptors, observed through [11C]K-2 PET imaging, were found to be closely associated with the severity of cognitive symptoms and inflammatory markers, providing the first clear molecular explanation for this condition.
The results, published in Brain Communications, show that AMPAR receptor density not only indicates the severity of brain fog, but also allows for a near-perfect distinction between affected individuals and healthy individuals — with 100% sensitivity and 91% specificity. This offers hope for the development of diagnostic tools and targeted treatments, such as drugs that suppress AMPAR activity.
With mental fog affecting over 80% of Long COVID sufferers worldwide, this study represents a significant step towards fully understanding the condition and accelerating treatment efforts with focused therapies.
