A new study Published in Scientific Reports has shed light on apparent brain changes or neurological consequences of COVID-19, especially in those who lost their sense of smell post-diagnosis.
Key points
- The study found that those with anosmia (the loss of smell) during Covid-19 showed alterations in brain functionality and even physical structure during recovery.
- Loss of smell in Covid-19 occurs due to the virus’ impact on the olfactory system in the nasal passages.
- Specifically, the SARS-CoV-2 virus targets cells in the upper part of the nasal cavity, where the olfactory neurons are located. These neurons are responsible for detecting smells and sending signals to the brain.
- The virus infects supporting cells around the olfactory neurons, causing inflammation and disruption of normal function.
- This inflammation can lead to a blockage of the nasal passages or direct damage to the cells that help detect smells, resulting in temporary or prolonged loss of smell.
- Covid-19‘s direct impact on the olfactory system often leads to a more pronounced and sometimes longer-lasting loss of smell, even in the absence of nasal congestion.
(Source: IE)
