Using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, the team was able to detect a disruption of the blood-brain barrier in patients with long-lasting COVID-associated brain fog. Such non-invasive or minimally invasive MRI measurements provide direct information about the blood flow in a tissue. In in vitro studies with mononuclear cells from the blood of patients suffering from brain fog, the scientists, led by Prof. Colin P. Doherty from St. James Hospital Dublin and Dr. Matthew Campbell from Trinity Colledge in Dublin, identified a dysregulation of the coagulation system and an impaired adaptive immune response.

The researchers concluded that the cause of brain fog after corona infection is persistent systemic inflammation in combination with persistent blood-brain barrier dysfunction.

Read more here:
Greene, C., Connolly, R., Brennan, D. et al. Blood-brain barrier disruption and sustained systemic inflammation in individuals with long COVID-associated cognitive impairment. Nat Neurosci (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-024-01576-9

https://www.tcd.ie/Genetics/research/campbell.php

https://www.stjames.ie/consultants/dohertycolin/