In a study published in the journal Neurology, researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) revealed that people with long COVID have poorer scores on tests of dexterity and motor endurance than those without COVID.

The researchers performed functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans on 29 patients who had COVID an average of seven months prior and had at least one persistent neuropsychiatric symptom such as memory loss, sadness, or anxiety for the study.

Out of 29 patients, nine had severe COVID infections that required hospitalization. The researchers also conducted brain imaging scans on 21 healthy volunteers who had no history of COVID and were of similar age, health status, and vaccination status to those with COVID. All the participants had tests for thinking and memory skills, emotional health, and motor function, as well as measures for symptoms of depression, anxiety, fatigue, and pain.

The researchers reported an increased frequency of negative emotions, such as anger and despair, along with stress, as the cause of poor life satisfaction scores in COVID patients. In the study, the researchers also found that the long-term COVID patients had higher depression, anxiety, fatigue, and pain scores than the control group. 

(Source:https://www.indiatvnews.com/health/prolonged-covid-may-change-brain-activities-raise-depression-anxiety-risks-study-latest-health-news-2023-05-02-868537 )