COVID-19 may lead to long-term brain loss and could be the cause behind some COVID-19 patients losing their sense of smell and taste, suggests a new study from the United Kingdom.

Investigators accessed brain image testing for around 40,000 individuals which was conducted prior to the start of the pandemic. Hundreds of these individuals were called for more scans in 2021; around 800 responded. Overall, 404 of these had tested positive for COVID-19, and 394 had brain scans taken before and after the pandemic that could be used. On comparing the before-and-after scans, investigators noted significant effects of COVID-19 in the brain. There was loss of grey matter in areas of the brain which are associated with smell and taste… (Medscape)