Listen to the clip and hear why the researchers started the study

Already in moderate infection, in patients who were hospitalized but did not need respiratory care, injuries were detected.

In a project at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 47 patients with mild, moderate and severe covid-19 received blood tests during the course of care. These samples have been analyzed for biomarkers for brain injury. The results have been compared with a healthy control group.

- The study clearly shows that this is something we should be observant about, says Magnus Gisslén, who is a professor and chief physician in infectious diseases at Sahlgrenska University Hospital and one of the researchers behind the study.

It is unclear if the brain damage is permanent

The research is now presented in the journal Neurology and two of the researchers behind the study believe that the blood tests for biomarkers linked to brain injury could be used to monitor patients with moderate to severe covid-19 to reduce the risk of brain damage.

If it is the virus or immune system that can cause brain damage at covid-19, the researchers do not yet know. It is also not known whether the brain damage is permanent or not. To clarify this, further research is needed.