By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
GMJ NewsGMJ NewsGMJ News
  • Latest News
    • GMJ Briefs
  • Podcast & Media
    • Podcast Episodes
    • GMJ Audio
    • GMJ Videos
  • Research Digest
    • New Studies
    • Georgian Research
    • Data & Numbers
  • Policy & Systems
    • Health Policy
    • Quality & Safety
    • Migration & Health
    • Global Health
  • Practice
    • Clinical Updates
    • Case Discussions
    • Pharmacy & Prescribing
    • Ingredients A-Z
  • Perspectives
    • Editorial
    • Explainers
    • Voices
    • Letters
  • GMJ Articles
    • Vol. 1 Issue 2 (2026)
    • Vol. 1 Issue 1 (2026)
    • Pre-Launch Articles (2025)
  • Read the Journal →
  • About GMJ News
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
GMJ NewsGMJ News
Font ResizerAa
  • Latest News
    • GMJ Briefs
  • Podcast & Media
    • Podcast Episodes
    • GMJ Audio
    • GMJ Videos
  • Research Digest
    • New Studies
    • Georgian Research
    • Data & Numbers
  • Policy & Systems
    • Health Policy
    • Quality & Safety
    • Migration & Health
    • Global Health
  • Practice
    • Clinical Updates
    • Case Discussions
    • Pharmacy & Prescribing
    • Ingredients A-Z
  • Perspectives
    • Editorial
    • Explainers
    • Voices
    • Letters
  • GMJ Articles
    • Vol. 1 Issue 2 (2026)
    • Vol. 1 Issue 1 (2026)
    • Pre-Launch Articles (2025)
  • Read the Journal →
  • About GMJ News
Follow US
GMJ News > GMJ Briefs > Brain Imaging Data Reframes Long COVID’s Neurological Profile

Brain Imaging Data Reframes Long COVID’s Neurological Profile

GMJ
Last updated: 28/06/2026 06:17
By
Prof. Giorgi Pkhakadze
Share
1 Min Read
Brain scan imaging showing activity patterns in long COVID patients compared to healthy controls
New brain imaging study finds no widespread inflammation in long COVID patients, instead revealing heightened activity in mood and emotion processing regions. The findings challenge current anti-inflammatory treatment approaches and suggest neurological symptoms stem from altered brain function rather than inflammatory damage. — Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels (Pexels License)
SHARE
1 min read|127 words

A comprehensive brain imaging analysis has yielded striking data that challenges fundamental assumptions about long COVID’s neurological basis. Zero percent of studied patients demonstrated widespread brain inflammation markers—a critical finding given that neuroinflammation has been a leading theoretical explanation for persistent cognitive symptoms affecting this population.

Simultaneously, 85 percent of long COVID patients exhibited heightened activity in mood-related brain regions, with 72 percent showing significant changes in emotional processing networks. These statistics suggest a distinct neurobiological pattern characterized by functional rather than inflammatory changes. The data indicates that current anti-inflammatory treatment strategies may be less effective than therapies targeting emotional regulation and mood stabilization.

These quantitative findings represent a watershed moment in long COVID research, necessitating urgent reconsideration of therapeutic approaches.

Read the full article on GMJ Newsroom.

Submit Your Paper
GMJ_Submit_Banner

Was this article helpful?

GMJ Brief · Key Finding

📰 Read the full article: Brain Scans Reveal No Widespread Inflammation in Long COVID Patients, Challenging Previous Theories →

Share This Article
Facebook LinkedIn Bluesky Copy Link Print
GMJ
ByProf. Giorgi Pkhakadze
Follow:
Prof. Giorgi Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD, is Editor-in-Chief of the Georgian Medical Journal and Chair of the Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG). He is Professor and Head of the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences at David Tvildiani Medical University, and Secretary/Treasurer of the UEMS Section of Public Health. ORCID: 0000-0001-7609-4515.

Submit Your Paper →

Georgia's peer-reviewed open-access medical journal. No APC until January 2027.
Submit Manuscript →
PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Persist in Ski Wax Rooms Despite Regulatory Bans

New research reveals PFAS 'forever chemicals' persist in ski wax facilities years…

Community Walking Groups Show Mental Health Benefits for Bereaved Adults

A community walking group in Darwen demonstrates how peer-supported physical activity provides…

Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda spreads to new regions; CDC updates response strategy

The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda report active Ebola transmission…

Submit Your Paper to GMJ

No APC until January 2027.
Submit Manuscript →

You Might Also Like

Digital interface showing UK MHRA electronic export certificate system for pharmaceutical companies

UK Achieves Complete Digital Processing of Medicine Export Certificates

By
Prof. Giorgi Pkhakadze
10/06/2026
Laboratory blood test tubes with magnesium deficiency diagnostic chart

48% of Adults May Have Hidden Magnesium Deficiency Despite Normal Blood Tests

By
Prof. Giorgi Pkhakadze
24/05/2026

SITUATION BRIEF: WHO PHEIC Declaration – Ebola Cross-Border Transmission DRC-Uganda

By
Prof. Giorgi Pkhakadze
31/05/2026
Global HealthPolicy & Systems

Ebola Outbreak in Congo Leaves Health Workers Without Protective Equipment

By
Prof. Giorgi Pkhakadze
08/06/2026
Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram
Company
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact US
  • GMJ Journal
  • Submit Manuscript
  • Editorial Team
  • Register at GMJ
  • Terms of Use

Subscribe to GMJ News — Click here

Join Community
© 2026 Georgian Medical Journal (GMJ). Published by the Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG). All rights reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

Not a member? Sign Up