Dr. Julia Samton explains the science behind what causes long Covid and gives insight into other research that COVID’s effects on the brain may persist for years. Read the full article on the American Psychological Association’s website. The article highlights include:

What causes long COVID?

“Understanding the etiology of long COVID is essential because once we comprehend the cause, we can work towards a cure,” said Julia Samton, MD, board certified in neurology and psychiatry and co-owns The Midtown Practice in New York City.

Samton also pointed out that researchers have identified some additional possible risk factors for developing long COVID, including Type 2 diabetes, fragments of SARS-Cov-2 RNA in the blood, evidence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the blood, and an increase in autoimmune antibodies (Cell, Vol. 185, No. 5, 2022).

“Until we develop a treatment specifically targeted to the neuropsychiatric effects of COVID, we should rely on established therapeutics to rehabilitate affected individuals,” Samton said. “A multidisciplinary team that works together to address the different components of long COVID can make all the difference in hope and physical progress.”