Modern neuroscience has revealed how coronavirus disease 2019 affects the brain's structure, chemistry, and function — knowledge that's transforming treatment approaches.
The Brain Regions Involved in Coronavirus Disease 2019
Key brain areas implicated in coronavirus disease 2019 include:
- Amygdala: The brain's threat-detection center becomes hyperactive in coronavirus disease 2019, triggering excessive fear and stress responses
- Prefrontal Cortex: Responsible for rational thinking and emotional regulation — its function is often impaired by coronavirus disease 2019
- Hippocampus: Memory and context processing; chronic coronavirus disease 2019 can affect its volume and function
- HPA Axis: The stress hormone system that, when dysregulated, drives many physical symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019
Neurochemistry of Coronavirus Disease 2019
Coronavirus Disease 2019 involves imbalances or dysregulation of key neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and GABA — all targets of current treatments.
How Treatment Changes the Brain
Both therapy and medication produce measurable changes in brain function in coronavirus disease 2019. CBT, for example, has been shown to normalize amygdala reactivity.
Neuroplasticity and Coronavirus Disease 2019
The brain retains its ability to change throughout life. This neuroplasticity means that with appropriate treatment and practice, the neural patterns underlying coronavirus disease 2019 can genuinely change.