Nashville Resident Diagnosed with Debilitating Brain Fog as a Result of Long COVID
NASHVILLE, TN – Kate Whitley, a 42-year-old Nashville resident, has been diagnosed with long COVID and is now struggling with severe brain fog that has significantly disrupted her daily life. Whitley, who has Hashimoto disease, an autoimmune disorder that places her at higher risk for COVID-19 complications, contracted the infection in September 2022 and began experiencing the debilitating brain fog two months later.
For Whitley, the brain fog has been the most challenging aspect of her long COVID experience. As the owner of a successful paper goods store, she has found it increasingly difficult to remember basic details of her job, tolerate loud noises, and stay focused on tasks. “I just can’t think anymore,” Whitley expressed. “It makes you realize that you’re nothing without your brain. Sometimes I feel like a shell of my former self.”
Brain fog is a commonly reported symptom of long COVID, affecting approximately 46% of those with the condition. However, it is also one of the least understood aspects of long COVID, making it challenging for doctors to diagnose and treat. According to James C. Jackson, PsyD, a neuropsychiatrist at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, brain fog should be referred to as a brain impairment or an acquired brain injury (ABI) due to the sudden cognitive changes experienced by long COVID patients.
Whitley also suffers from dysautonomia, a disorder of the autonomic nervous system that exacerbates her symptoms. She often feels nervous in social situations due to her forgetfulness and struggles to remember details about other people’s lives.
Experts believe that long COVID may cause brain damage, with studies showing reductions in gray matter and potential damage to white matter. Tyler Reed Bell, PhD, a researcher specializing in viruses that cause brain injury, stated that calling it “brain fog” can trivialize the severity of the condition, and patients may face challenges in daily activities such as driving and returning to work. Bell emphasized the invasive nature of the COVID-19 virus on the brain.
However, other experts suggest that brain fog may be associated with other long COVID symptoms, such as chronic fatigue, poor sleep, cardiac problems, dysautonomia, and emotional distress, rather than solely brain damage. Determining the right treatment requires identifying all contributing factors to cognitive impairment.
One of the challenges in treating long COVID brain fog is the lack of diagnostic technology sensitive enough to detect brain inflammation. Researchers are working on identifying biomarkers that could detect brain inflammation associated with long COVID.
Despite the difficulties, Whitley remains grateful for the treatment she has received so far. She is seeing a cognitive rehabilitation therapist who assesses her memory, cognition, and attention span and provides tools to manage daily tasks. Additionally, Whitley has joined a support group led by Dr. Jackson, which allows her to connect with other individuals experiencing similar symptoms.
The development of clear diagnostic criteria and treatment pathways for cognitive rehabilitation will be vital in providing relief and support for individuals like Whitley who are facing the long-term effects of COVID-19.
Sources:
– Medscape’s Long COVID Resource Center
– JAMA Network
– Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
– Oxford Open Immunology
– Nature
– SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine
– University of California, San Diego
– University of North Carolina School of Medicine COVID Recovery Clinic
– University Hospitals Health System
– Stanford News Center