In some cases, coronavirus has been shown to affect the brain long-term. One way for doctors to get more information about the neurological effects of COVID-19 is by using an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machine. Using this special type of MRI, researchers have uncovered brain changes in patients up to six months after they recovered from COVID-19.
There are a few different ways to diagnose COVID-19. If you think you have COVID-19, find a testing center near you. An MRI can detect if you have any neurological complications following a COVID-19 diagnosis. Some people call these complications long COVID. An MRI is the best medical scan for brain issues. If your doctor is recommending a scan to diagnose or monitor COVID-19, they will likely suggest a chest CT. However, if your doctor is monitoring your brain’s response to COVID-19, they will recommend an MRI. On this scan, they will be checking for potential damage to the brain, especially the frontal lobe and brainstem.
The main difference between a brain scan from a healthy person and one from a person who has neurological issues from long-haul COVID is in the white-matter values. MRIs are the most detailed medical scans available today. An abnormal MRI result could be anything that does not look like a healthy MRI brain scan. An MRI can show brain infection, fatigue, injury, or illness.
At South Jersey Radiology, our radiologists can perform quantitative volumetric analysis to detect COVID-related neurological issues. To perform this analysis, NeuroQuant works alongside an MRI machine to measure matter volumes in the brain. The NeuroQuant tool helps radiologists quickly assess other cognitive conditions such as dementia. The NeuroQuant analysis for MRI is available at South Jersey Radiology with a recommendation from a referring neurologist.
What Are The Symptoms Of Long Haul COVID-19?
In some cases, people who were previously diagnosed with COVID-19 experienced damage to their frontal lobes. This resulted in neurological complications. These complications could be any of the following:
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating
- Headache
- Sleep problems
- Lightheadedness
- Pins-and-needles sensation
- Change in smell or taste
- Depression or anxiety
If you are experiencing these symptoms, don’t assume you are suffering from neurological complications from COVID-19. There could be other explanations your doctor can offer after your MRI.
Long COVID-19 symptoms are still being researched, but based on what doctors know right now, it appears to be more common in adults. As age increases, the chance of lasting complications or symptoms from COVID-19 also increases. Anyone who gets COVID-19 may have long-term effects, even if you had a mild case of coronavirus or no symptoms.
If you are experiencing any of the previously mentioned complications or symptoms, talk to your doctor about when you had COVID-19 and when these symptoms started. Schedule a brain MRI with South Jersey Radiology today to get ahead of any questions or complications you may have. At SJRA, our courteous and caring staff are ready and waiting to accommodate you and your needs. Set up your appointment today at any of the following locations:
- Route 73 Office – Voorhees Township, NJ
- Greentree Office – Marlton, NJ
- Washington Township Office – Sewell, NJ
- Turnersville Office – Turnersville, NJ
- Voorhees Office – Voorhees Township, NJ
- West Deptford Office – West Deptford, NJ
Frequently Asked Questions
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a useful tool for investigating the neurological effects of COVID-19. In some cases, COVID-19 has been shown to have long-term impacts on the brain. If your doctor suspects neurological complications or wants to monitor your brain’s response to COVID-19, they may recommend an MRI. Unlike a chest CT scan, which is typically used for diagnosing or monitoring COVID-19 in the chest area, an MRI focuses specifically on the brain and can provide detailed information about potential brain damage, particularly in the frontal lobe and brainstem.
MRIs are highly detailed medical scans that can show brain infection, fatigue, injury, or illness. When comparing an MRI of a healthy brain to that of a person experiencing neurological issues from long-haul COVID, one significant difference is observed in the white-matter values. Abnormal MRI results indicate anything that deviates from a healthy MRI brain scan. By examining the brain’s structure and identifying any abnormalities, an MRI can provide valuable insights into potential neurological complications caused by COVID-19.
People who previously had COVID-19 and experienced damage to their frontal lobes may develop neurological complications, commonly known as long-haul COVID. These complications can manifest as difficulty thinking or concentrating, headaches, sleep problems, lightheadedness, pins-and-needles sensation, change in smell or taste, and feelings of depression or anxiety. However, it’s important to note that experiencing these symptoms does not automatically indicate neurological complications from COVID-19. Other explanations for these symptoms can be provided by your doctor after an MRI evaluation.
Long-term complications from COVID-19, including neurological issues, can occur in anyone who contracts the virus, regardless of the severity of their initial symptoms. However, research suggests that long-haul COVID-19 may be more common in adults. Additionally, as age increases, the likelihood of experiencing lasting complications or symptoms from COVID-19 also increases. It is crucial to monitor and address any symptoms or complications, regardless of the severity of the initial COVID-19 infection.
To schedule a brain MRI, you can contact any of our convenient locations below:
• Route 73 Office – Voorhees Township, NJ
• Greentree Office – Marlton, NJ
• Washington Township Office – Sewell, NJ
• Turnersville Office – Turnersville, NJ
• Voorhees Office – Voorhees Township, NJ
• West Deptford Office – West Deptford, NJ
Our team of board-certified, subspecialized radiologists reads and interprets all of our MRI studies. ur experienced radiologists use advanced tools and techniques, such as quantitative volumetric analysis with NeuroQuant, to detect COVID-related neurological issues and assess other cognitive conditions. NeuroQuant works alongside an MRI machine to measure brain matter volumes and aid in diagnosis. This analysis is available at South Jersey Radiology with a recommendation from a referring provider. Learn more about our radiologists by viewing our physician profiles.