Brain Changes Detected in Small Study of Omicron COVID Variant
A small study conducted in China found that men who were infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 experienced thinning of the gray matter and other changes in certain parts of the brain. The study, which included 61 participants, revealed that gray-matter thickness had thinned in specific brain regions, and the ratio of right hippocampus volume to total intracranial volume was significantly reduced after infection. These brain alterations were associated with increased anxiety scores and decreased word fluency test scores. The findings highlight the emotional and cognitive effects of Omicron infection and suggest that imaging can aid in the early detection and treatment of neurologic complications.