Listen to Story A recent study revealed that those who lost their sense of smell during infection from Covid-19 experienced changes in their behaviour, brain function, and structure. Researchers in Chile examined cognitive abilities, decision-making performance, and brain function using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on 73 patients who had mild to moderate Covid-19 and compared them with 27 individuals who had infections from other causes. These tests were conducted about nine months after their Covid-19 diagnosis, with follow-up sessions held 15 days apart.
The average age of the participants was 40.1 years. The study was conducted between February 2020 and May 2023, with patients recruited from hospitals in Santiago.
The study, published in Scientific Reports , used loss of smell as an indicator of potential brain involvement and the need for hospitalisation as a marker of disease severity. KEY FINDINGS OF THE STUDY The researchers concluded that anosmia (loss of smell) might be a marker for virus-induced brain damage and could indicate individuals at risk of neurological issues. Further research is needed to explore the extent of Covid-related brain damage linked to loss of smell, its potential as a marker for susceptibility to different brain disorders, and possible treatment targets.
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