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Scientists with a new and disturbing finding about COVID: Are you really over it?
Slovenia🏛️ PoliticsCenter7 days ago

Scientists with a new and disturbing finding about COVID: Are you really over it?

A new Canadian study published in the journal eBioMedicine suggests that long-term effects of COVID-19 may involve lasting changes in the dopamine system of the brain. Researchers compared brain scans of 24 adults with long-term COVID symptoms to those of 24 healthy individuals of similar age and found that people with long-term COVID had approximately 18% fewer dopamine nerve endings than healthy controls. These changes were observed in both MRI and PET scans and were linked to various symptoms including reduced motivation, slower movement, difficulty with memory and word finding, and trouble with daily tasks. The findings suggest that some neurological changes may persist beyond the acute infection phase, even in individuals who have had COVID-19 for over four years. The study also noted that even healthy participants who had previously contracted COVID-19 showed reduced dopamine levels compared to those who had not been infected. While the study was small and cannot be generalized to the entire population, the results provide an objective biological marker for symptoms that are often difficult to diagnose through standard tests. Researchers believe these findings could inform未来的

A new study has raised concerns about long-term effects of COVID-19, suggesting that some individuals who have recovered from the infection might still suffer from lasting neurological and psychiatric symptoms due to changes in their brain's dopamine system. Researchers from Canada found that adults with long COVID showed a reduction in dopamine nerve endings compared to healthy individuals. The findings were published in the journal eBioMedicine and could help explain why certain patients continue to experience symptoms for years after initial recovery. The research team analyzed brain scans of 24 adults with long COVID and compared them to scans of 24 healthy individuals of similar age. They used positron emission tomography (PET) scans to observe the brain structures. Results indicated that those with long COVID had approximately 18 percent fewer dopamine nerve endings than healthy participants. These changes were not just statistical but were clearly visible on the brain scans. The researchers identified links between the loss of dopamine nerve endings and various symptoms. A lower density of these nerve endings in the ventral striatum was associated with reduced motivation. In the dorsal striatum, specifically in the putamen area, the loss was linked to slower movement and longer time needed to complete tasks. Changes in the caudate nucleus were connected to memory issues and difficulty finding words, symptoms commonly reported by those suffering from long COVID. Notably, these changes were observed even in individuals living with long COVID for more than four and a half years, indicating that the brain alterations may not be temporary effects of acute infection alone. Additionally, the study found that even healthy individuals who had previously recovered from COVID-19 had fewer dopamine nerve endings than those who had never been infected. While the study suggests a possible link between the virus and lasting damage to the dopamine system, it emphasizes that this does not necessarily mean every individual will suffer such permanent harm. As the sample size was small, further research is required to determine how common these changes are and whether they improve over time. Jeffrey Meyer, a neurochemist from the University of Toronto, believes the marker used in the study could one day aid in identifying patients with long COVID. He suggests that some patients might respond positively to treatments aimed at increasing the density of dopamine nerve endings or enhancing dopamine release from remaining ones. Meyer’s research group plans to conduct future clinical trials to test a medication affecting the dopamine system and assess its potential benefits for long COVID symptoms. Long COVID encompasses a wide range of symptoms that persist or appear after the acute phase of the illness. These include fatigue, difficulties with memory and concentration, sleep disturbances, headaches, dizziness, anxiety, and digestive problems. The condition can affect multiple organ systems, with symptoms lasting several years and significantly impacting daily life for some individuals. The exact proportion of people who develop long COVID after infection remains unknown. Estimates vary widely, often ranging between two and ten percent of those infected. Some estimates suggest that millions worldwide may be living with the consequences of long COVID. Researchers emphasize the need for verified treatment methods and tests based on evidence, as current approaches mainly focus on symptom relief or testing existing medications. Many patients remain untreated due to the lack of established therapies. The study highlights the importance of understanding the biological markers behind long COVID symptoms, which could lead to better diagnosis and targeted treatment strategies.

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Maribor24 logoMaribor24IndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 857 days ago
Scientists with a new and disturbing finding about COVID: Are you really over it?

A new Canadian study published in the journal eBioMedicine suggests that long-term effects of COVID-19 may involve lasting changes in the dopamine system of the brain. Researchers compared brain scans of 24 adults with long-term COVID symptoms to those of 24 healthy individuals of similar age and found that people with long-term COVID had approximately 18% fewer dopamine nerve endings than healthy controls. These changes were observed in both MRI and PET scans and were linked to various symptoms including reduced motivation, slower movement, difficulty with memory and word finding, and trouble with daily tasks. The findings suggest that some neurological changes may persist beyond the acute infection phase, even in individuals who have had COVID-19 for over four years. The study also noted that even healthy participants who had previously contracted COVID-19 showed reduced dopamine levels compared to those who had not been infected. While the study was small and cannot be generalized to the entire population, the results provide an objective biological marker for symptoms that are often difficult to diagnose through standard tests. Researchers believe these findings could inform未来的

Bias read (Center): The article presents scientific research without overt ideological framing. It discusses medical findings related to long-term effects of COVID-19 without taking a political stance. While the topic relates to public health, which can be politically sensitive, the article remains focused on the study

Why factuality (85): This article closely follows the primary source document, accurately reporting the study's methodology, results, and implications. It includes key details such as the 18% reduction in dopamine nerve endings, the regions affected (ventral, dorsal, and caudate striatum), and the duration of long COVID

Why objectivity (85): The article remains objective, presenting the study's findings without bias or emotional language. It avoids making value judgments about the severity of long COVID or the effectiveness of current treatments, maintaining a neutral and informative tone.

Slovenske novice logoSlovenske noviceIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 809 days ago
Are you tired all the time?

A new Canadian study suggests that people suffering from long COVID, also known as post-COVID syndrome, may experience lasting damage to their brain’s dopamine system. The research, published in eBioMedicine, used positron emission tomography (PET) scans to compare brain images of 24 adults with long COVID and 24 healthy individuals of similar age. The findings indicate that those with long COVID had fewer dopamine nerve endings in specific regions of the brain, such as the striatum, which plays a role in movement and motivation. This reduction was linked to symptoms like reduced motivation, slower movements, and difficulties with memory and word retrieval. Even individuals who had been living with long COVID for more than four and a half years showed visible brain changes. Scientists noted that these findings provide measurable evidence of neurological effects previously considered unclear.

Bias read (Center): The article presents scientific findings from peer-reviewed journals without overtly favoring any political stance. It focuses on health research related to long-term effects of COVID-19, which is primarily a medical issue rather than a politically charged topic. There is no indication of biased phr

Why factuality (75): The article accurately reports the findings from the Canadian study published in eBioMedicine, including the reduction in dopamine nerve endings in individuals with long COVID and the association with specific symptoms like apathy and depression. It also mentions the use of PET scans and the compari

Why objectivity (80): The article presents the scientific findings in a neutral manner, focusing on the implications of the study without overtly promoting any particular viewpoint or treatment. While it does highlight the significance of the findings, it maintains a balanced tone throughout.

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