r/science • u/Wagamaga • Feb 03 '25

Neuroscience Scientists discover that even mild COVID-19 can alter brain proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease, potentially increasing dementia risk—raising urgent public health concerns.

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/260553/covid-19-linked-increase-biomarkers-abnormal-brain/
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128

u/le66669 Feb 03 '25

I've also seen reports that COVID-19 also increases symptoms of ADHD. What mechanisms could be at work here?

47

u/DelinquentRacoon Feb 03 '25

Despite some studies pointing to a disproportionate impact of the pandemic on children with ADHD, and the recent systematic reviews about its impact on child and youth well-being more broadly, we do not yet know if the prevalence of ADHD symptoms—namely inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity—have in fact changed during the past 3 years.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9996113/

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u/SilentHuntah Feb 03 '25

I've also seen reports that COVID-19 also increases symptoms of ADHD. What mechanisms could be at work here?

Got diagnosed in March just last year because I knew something was off. Always been a high functioning ADHDer, but after I got covid for the 2nd time in 2023, felt like I got a dampener put on my brain.

59

u/HimboVegan Feb 03 '25 edited Feb 03 '25

Yup. I've always had adhd but I used to be able to function at a high level without meds. My executive function immediately got way worse after getting covid.

20

u/alwaysoffby0ne Feb 03 '25

Mine too. I originally assumed it was mostly to do with changing work habits because of lockdown but now I am pretty sure there’s something else going on so I’m back in medication, which I hadn’t taken for years prior to COVID.

30

u/odebus Feb 03 '25

It is inflammation. There are multiple studies that support the link between inflammation and ADHD. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-023-02729-3

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10166245/#:~:text=There%20is%20an%20activated%20condition,cell%20activation%20syndrome%20(MCAS). "Patients with long COVID-19 suffer the same clinical syndrome as patients with mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS)"

People suffering from long covid should look into anti-inflammatory therapies. Low dose naltrexone has really helped me.

7

u/Brutalna Feb 04 '25

How did you confirm inflammation?

16

u/Yuyu_hockey_show Feb 03 '25

Yup, also autism. I developed misophonia and sound sensitivity after a covid infection.

1

u/oligobop Feb 03 '25

Link the study.

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u/Yuyu_hockey_show Feb 04 '25

Link the study to me personally developing misophonia and worsening autism after a covid infection?...It's my dearest wish that reality would work that way

1

u/oligobop Feb 04 '25

Ah gotcha. Not trying to dismiss your situation, just curious if its been sampled and analyzed before. The OP also seems to not be able to find a study for their claims of ADHD. Doesn't mean it isn't happening, just means it needs support, and is likely an area of interest for NIH studies.

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u/Yuyu_hockey_show Feb 04 '25

Yeah, I looked for studies a while ago about misophonia and autism concurrent with long covid, but couldn't find anything. With chronic illness, a lot of the times you don't have scientific evidence for your self-reported claims...the only ones you got are subjective evidence, which really sucks.

48

u/senhoritavulpix Feb 03 '25

WHAT

So that's why my life went downhill since Covid pandemic?? I literally got a diagnostic for ADHD after getting Covid twice. I had symptoms since as a kid but I do think it got worse after Covid. I would love to show these reports if you could share a link please.

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u/Rinas-the-name Feb 03 '25

I would definitely like to see that report. I was only diagnosed recently, because my ability to mask failed.

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u/agiantdogok Feb 04 '25

Brain injuries cause executive dysfunction and other symptoms in common with ADHD, and COVID causes brain injuries. So I think it's more of a a compounding symptom situation than simply worsening the existing ADHD.

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u/DELETE_ALL_CEO Feb 03 '25

that explains so much soon as covid hit I've been extremely restless

1

u/Sammoonryong Feb 04 '25

fathom ADHD might overlap or get worsened by long covid. That might have been one of the issues. And yea I notice that too. my last infection is like 1-2 months ago and doesnt quite feel the same anymore. Worse again after a long recovery phase.