Large hippocampus detected in Long COVID and ME/CFS patients

Striking brain similarities have been detected in patients who experience Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), in particular, a larger than normal hippocampus.

The Griffith University research, published today in PLOS ONE, used only one of two ultra-high field MRI machines available in Australia to uncover how Long COVID and ME/CFS similarly impact brain structure.

Director of Griffith’s National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED), Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, said the study aimed to examine the potential overlap with neurological symptoms between the two illnesses.

“We focused on using this specific MRI machine to study the brain in these participants to determine similarities in particular areas of the brain, such as the hippocampus which plays a critical role in controlling memory and cognition,” Professor Marshall-Gradisnik said.

Lead author, Dr Kiran Thapaliya, said the MRI identified significantly larger hippocampal volume in Long COVID and ME/CFS patients compared to healthy individuals without these conditions.

“Furthermore, the study showed similar hippocampal volume in patients, emphasising striking brain similarities between the two conditions,” Dr Thapaliya said.

“The research also reported the hippocampal volume was associated with symptom severity in both patient groups.

“Therefore, hippocampal impairment in Long COVID and ME/CFS patients may play a significant role in cognitive difficulties such as memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and delayed responses to questions or conversations.”

Larger hippocampal volume could be due to neurogenesis, the formation of new neurons, or a virus in the brain.

Professor Marshall-Gradisnik said: “The NCNED brings together a critical mass of talented researchers and clinicians committed to improving the lives of these patients.”

“We are privileged to access state-of-the-art technologies which drive transformative scientific discoveries.”

The research was funded by ME Research UK and the Stafford Fox Medical Research Foundation.

The paper Hippocampal Subfield Volume Alterations and Associations with Severity Measures in Long COVID and ME/CFS: A 7T MRI Study was published in PLOS ONE.

UN Sustainable Development Goals 3: Good Health and Well-being