Priyanka Tiwari
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A study published on February 11, 2025, has revealed that patients suffering from long Covid and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) experience brain inflammation in areas associated with memory and concentration. Conducted by researchers at Griffith University, Australia, the study utilized an ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine to examine how long Covid and myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS) affect brain structures in a similar manner.
How Was the Study Conducted?
The study involved 17 long Covid patients, 29 CFS patients, and 15 healthy individuals for comparison.
Researchers observed significantly larger hippocampus volume in both long Covid and CFS patients than in healthy individuals.
The hippocampus, a vital brain region responsible for learning, short-term to long-term memory conversion, and verbal/spatial memory, was found to be swollen in affected individuals.
The findings, published in the journal PLOS ONE, suggest that hippocampal swelling correlates with symptom severity in both long Covid and CFS patients.
Key Findings from Researchers
Lead author Kiran Thapaliya stated that the study indicates hippocampal impairment in long Covid and CFS patients could contribute to cognitive difficulties, including:
Memory problems
Difficulty concentrating
Slowed responses in conversations
The researchers proposed two possible explanations for the increased hippocampus volume:
Neurogenesis – The formation of new brain cells.
Viral presence in the brain, which may trigger inflammation and swelling.
Additionally, the study found that patients with larger hippocampal volumes experienced:
Decreased concentration
Insomnia
Chronic pain
Severe fatigue
These findings highlight a strong overlap between CFS and long Covid, which could help in the development of potential treatments for both conditions.
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