A rare brain inflammation which is usually triggered by viral infections appears to be increasing in prevalence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists have said.
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) affects the brain and spinal cord and is typically seen in children.It often follows on from a minor infection such as a cold – activating immune cells to attack the fatty protective coating covering the nerves.
But researchers from University College London said there has been a “concerning increase” in ADEM among adults during the coronavirus pandemic.
Based on their findings, published in the journal Brain, the researchers say clinicians need to be aware of possible neurological effects in order to make an early diagnosis and improve patient outcomes.
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Dr Michael Zandi, of UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who was a senior author on the study, said: “We identified a higher than expected number of people with neurological conditions such as brain inflammation, which did not always correlate with the severity of respiratory symptoms.
“We should be vigilant and look out for these complications in people who have had COVID-19.”
He said it remains to be been “whether we will see an epidemic on a large scale of brain damage linked to the pandemic”.
The researchers also found other neurobiological complications, such as delirium, stroke and nerve damage, to be associated with the disease.According to the team, some of the 43 patients studied did not experience respiratory symptoms.
Doctors needs to be aware of possible neurological effects, as early diagnosis can improve patient outcomes
Dr Ross Paterson
These patients, who had either confirmed or suspected COVID-19, were aged between 16 and 85 and were treated at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, UCLH.
The researchers identified 10 cases of temporary brain dysfunction with delirium, eight cases of strokes, and eight others with nerve damage.There were also 12 cases of brain inflammation, nine of which were diagnosed with ADEM.
SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19 disease, was not detected in the brain and spinal fluid of any of the patients tested, the researchers said.
They added that the team also found evidence of brain inflammation being caused by an immune response to the disease, “suggesting that some neurological complications of COVID-19 might come from the immune response rather than the virus itself”.
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The researchers said further studies are needed to identify why some COVID-19 patients are developing neurological complications.
Dr Ross Paterson, of UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, and joint first author on the study, said: “Given that the disease has only been around for a matter of months, we might not yet know what long-term damage COVID-19 can cause.
“Doctors needs to be aware of possible neurological effects, as early diagnosis can improve patient outcomes. People recovering from the virus should seek professional health advice if they experience neurological symptoms.”
How can I protect myself from the coronavirus when shopping?
You’ll have seen signs in your local supermarket advising you to keep two metres from others while moving around the store. This is key to reducing your chances of catching the virus while shopping.
The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is spread through respiratory droplets that leave our mouth and nose when we cough, sneeze, or sometimes even talk. The droplets sprayed out by an infected person will contain the virus, which could then enter your body via your mouth, nose or eyes (this is why you shouldn’t be touching your face).
Respiratory droplets don’t usually travel more than one metre, so by keeping two metres from others, you’ll reduce the likelihood of being in the firing line. To make it easier to keep your distance, try to shop during off-peak hours, choose a store that’s limiting the number of people who can be inside at any one time, and use self-checkout if you can.
Keeping your hands clean is the other main thing you can do. If possible, wipe the trolley or basket handles with a disinfectant wipe when you arrive at the store. When you get home, wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before and after unpacking your bags.
A US study found that the coronavirus can survive for up to 24 hours on cardboard, and up to three days on hard, shiny surfaces such as plastic, so wiping down your purchases with a disinfectant spray or a soapy cloth before you put them away is another good habit to get into.
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