Ottawa, Aug. 16 (SANA)COVID-19 may cause changes in the brain that remain detectable years after infection, particularly among people with long COVID, according to a recentCanadianstudy.

Researchers at the University of Toronto, working with a brain imaging center under the supervision of Dr. Jeffrey Meyer, compared brain scans of people withlong COVIDwith those of healthy participants, according to a report published this month by a Canadian mental health center.

Using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, the researchers identified damage affecting nerve systems associated with dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in movement, attention and motivation.

The study focused on a brain region involved in movement and motivation, with researchers linking abnormalities in the area to symptoms including slower movement, memory problems and difficulty recalling words.

Researchers said some of the symptoms persisted for years, suggesting thatCOVID-19can have long-term neurological effects.

An estimated 65 million people worldwide experience long COVID, with studies suggesting the condition affects between 2% and 10% of people infected with the virus.

Researchers said the findings could help advance the development of treatments for long COVID, particularly as many patients still lack access to specialized care.