We all know this by now: COVID-19 causes a loss of smell (anosmia) and a diminished sense of taste in some people.
What this means is that the Sars-CoV-2 virus attacks the brain.
Recent brain imaging scans reveal acute coronavirus encephalitis, which indicates an infection in the brain. According to the scientist who posted these images on Instagram, the concern that prompted this patient to seek an evaluation was a loss of smell.
The scientist wrote on Instagram:
“COVID-19 is generally associated with mild upper respiratory tract infections, although it has been shown to have neuroinvasive properties. In vivo studies have shown that it may infect neurons and cause encephalitis.”
Sense of smell and the brain
The area of the brain involved with smell is called the olfactory cortex. It is situated near the brain’s memory centers. This is partly why the sense of smell is closely linked to memory. Your 5 senses—taste, touch, sight, hearing, and smell- are linked with emotions that then make memories.
Loss of smell has long been recognized as an early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. Studies show that difficulty smelling certain smells, like lemon, peanut butter, natural gas, or strawberries, is related to a higher incidence of significant memory problems. Scoring poorly on the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test strongly predicts those who would be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
In most cases, smell dysfunction recovers quickly. However, it can take months. In a minority of cases, recovery can be incomplete with lasting impairment. While no proven treatment is available, olfactory training is recommended. We don’t yet understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 on brain function. However, the infection’s impact on the brain and the potential for encephalitis are crucial reasons that scientists are studying the effects.
If you experience loss of smell or taste
Physicians are reporting that in some cases, loss of smell or taste is the only symptom of COVID-19 in otherwise seemingly healthy individuals. Doctors advise that if you are experiencing loss of smell especially for certain strong smells, it is best to practice the latest coronavirus recommendations from the CDC.
In the meantime, keep in mind that anxiety, panic attacks, depression, or other mental health issues can make you more vulnerable to infection. Practice self-care and check in with your mental health practitioner. These times still have some uncertainty attached to them, so it’s best to keep your mental well-being at the forefront.