MRI Review Finds COVID-19 Ties to Widespread Brain Changes

A systematic review of 49 brain-imaging studies finds that COVID-19 is associated with widespread structural and functional brain changes, including reduced gray matter in frontal/temporal/parietal regions, white-matter integrity loss, altered resting-state connectivity in limbic networks, and reduced cerebral blood flow, changes that may relate to brain fog and fatigue. However, most studies are cross-sectional with no pre-infection baselines, making causality and persistence uncertain; long-term, whole-brain research is needed to determine if these changes are permanent or reversible.