Brain inflammation ‘hanging around’ in long COVID patients, study finds

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has made an important discovery while scanning the brains of long COVID patients.

According to a new study, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, scientists at CAMH found elevated levels of brain inflammation in people with cognitive and depressive symptoms months after their COVID-19 infections.

A groundbreaking new CAMH study published in @JAMAPsych led by Scientist Dr. Jeffrey Meyer found that people who experienced long #COVID had elevated levels of brain inflammation – raising the possibility of new #treatments.

MORE:https://t.co/jD8O4QV80P

— CAMH (@CAMHnews) June 1, 2023

“What’s new about this study is that it shows that inflammation is hanging around for a long time in the brains of people with long COVID even after only mild to moderate symptoms of active COVID-19,” Dr. Jeffrey Meyer, Head of the Neuroimaging Program in Mood & Anxiety at CAMH’s Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, said.

“Inflammation in the brain was suspected of being the critical step in causing neurological and psychiatric symptoms of long COVID so confirming this is vital to develop treatments for people experiencing symptoms.”

Dr. Meyer added that the most inflamed regions of the brain were the ones “involved in the capacity to enjoy things, motivational energy, and the ability to think and move quickly.”

“These were often the symptoms of greatest concern among the [20] people with long COVID who took part in the study.”

Researchers at CAMH believe further study could lead to new treatments for long COVID that might also help address other illnesses, including depression.

SEE ALSO
• Canadian researchers using blood to diagnose long COVID
• Ontario’s top doctor says long COVID funding decisions in the works
• Half of COVID-19 patients report symptoms after 12 weeks, review finds

Long-term disability rights during COVID-19

In Canada, most long-term disability (LTD) insurance policies will pay benefits if you can show that you have a disability that prevents you from working. This includes individuals in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C. who have coverage.

What is critical for all LTD claims, whether physical, emotional, psychological, cognitive, or a combination, is having your treating doctor or medical professional indicate in writing that you can’t work due to your condition.

If long COVID is affecting your ability to work, and you have full support from your treating doctor or medical professional, then you are entitled to claim for and receive LTD benefits for as long as you remain disabled.

READ MORE
• Applying for LTD insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic
• I can’t work because COVID-19 is affecting my mental health
• Employment rights during the COVID-19 pandemic

WATCH: Disability lawyer Sivan Tumarkin explains the three things you should do if you are unable to work because of COVID-19 on an episode of the Disability Law Show.

Long-term disability denied? Don’t appeal

If your LTD claim is denied by your insurance provider, you will likely receive a letter inviting you to appeal the decision.

While it might seem like a good idea to do so, in almost all cases, the appeals process will be handled by the same insurer that denied your claim.

Insurance companies make money by not paying claims. They often use the appeals process (sometimes leading claimants to request multiple appeals) to run out the clock on your ability to file a claim against them to get the money you are owed.

If your LTD claim is denied, cut off, or comes under “investigation”, contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP immediately.

LEARN MORE
• Appealing a long-term disability claim denial
• Disability lawyer discusses Ontario woman’s life insurance denial

Denied LTD due to long COVID? Speak with a disability lawyer

If long COVID is affecting your ability to work, and your insurance provider denied your LTD claim, contact an experienced disability lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Our compassionate team regularly resolves LTD, life insurance, critical illness and mortgage insurance claim denials across Canada (except Quebec).

We provide free consultations and don’t get paid unless we secure the compensation that you are legally entitled to.