Coronavirus: severe Covid-19 can damage the brain, preliminary study finds
- In severe cases, disease can cause issues such as stroke, inflammation, psychosis and dementia-like symptoms
- Researchers say theirs is first detailed look at neurological complications of Covid-19
A preliminary study of patients hospitalised with Covid-19 has found the disease can damage the brain, causing complications such as stroke, inflammation, psychosis and dementia-like symptoms in some severe cases.
The findings are the first detailed look at a range of neurological complications of Covid-19, the researchers said, and underline a need for larger studies to find the mechanisms behind them and assist the search for treatments.
“This [is] an important snapshot of the brain-related complications of Covid-19 in hospitalised patients. It is critically important that we continue to collect this information to really understand this virus fully,” said Sarah Pett, a University College London professor who co-led the work.
The study, published in the Lancet Psychiatry journal on Thursday, looked in detail at 125 cases from across Britain. Co-lead researcher Benedict Michael, from Liverpool University, said it was important to note that it focused on severe cases.
Data was collected between April 2 and April 26 – when the disease was spreading exponentially in Britain.