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Long COVID brain fog linked to dopamine loss in new study

By PulseAugur Editorial · [1 sources] ·

Researchers have identified a potential biological explanation for long COVID's debilitating brain fog: a loss of dopamine in specific brain regions. A new study using PET imaging found significantly lower levels of the VMAT2 protein, which is crucial for dopamine release, in the striatum of long COVID patients compared to healthy individuals. These reductions correlated closely with reported symptoms such as memory lapses, slowed movement, and loss of motivation, offering an objective marker for the condition. This finding could pave the way for targeted treatments, with researchers preparing a clinical trial for a repurposed dopamine-related medication. AI

RANK_REASON New research paper published by academic institutions detailing a biological explanation for a medical condition. [lever_c_demoted from research: ic=1 ai=0.0]

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Long COVID brain fog linked to dopamine loss in new study

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COVERAGE [1]

  1. Fortune TIER_1 English(EN) · Catherina Gioino ·

    Long COVID’s brain fog finally has a biological explanation: Dopamine loss

    Scientists found up to 20% less dopamine nerve density in long COVID patients, and say the damage tracks closely with specific symptoms.

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