| Gray Matter: Regions of the brain made up of neuronal cell bodies, involved in processing information, sensory perception, memory, and decision-making. White Matter: Composed of myelinated axons, it connects different brain regions and enables fast communication within the brain and central nervous system. Cortical Thickness: The thickness of the cerebral cortex, which is involved in higher brain functions like cognition and perception. Changes in cortical thickness are linked to brain development, ageing, and neurological conditions. |
- Studies have shown that even mild COVID-19 can impact the brain, with one of the most common symptoms being the loss of smell i.e. anosmia.
- While most people regain their sense of smell within weeks or months, some continue to experience neurological and cognitive effects long after recovery.
- Those who experienced anosmia showed behavioural, functional, and structural brain changes.
- They displayed more impulsive decision-making and had alterations in cortical thickness and white matter integrity.
- The study suggests that anosmia could be a marker for identifying individuals at risk of brain alterations and prioritizing follow-up care.
Dig Deeper: Read about various functions of the human brain and associated parts of the brain.
