Recent Australian research has identified swelling in the hippocampus—a brain region crucial for memory and learning—in patients with long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Utilizing ultra high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the study found that both groups exhibited significantly larger hippocampal volumes compared to healthy individuals. This swelling was linked to cognitive difficulties such as memory problems and concentration issues.
The study involved 17 long COVID patients, 29 ME/CFS patients, and 15 healthy controls. The researchers noted that the increased hippocampal volume could result from neurogenesis—the formation of new brain cells—or the presence of a virus in the brain. These findings suggest a shared mechanism underlying cognitive impairments in both conditions.
This research builds upon previous studies that have reported structural changes in the brainstem of individuals with long COVID and ME/CFS, further highlighting the neurological impact of these conditions.
