Neuroimaging study reveals functional and structural brain abnormalities in people with post-treatment Lyme disease.
A new study has found that people with post-treatment Lyme disease (PTLD) have functional and structural brain abnormalities. The study, published in the journal Radiology, used neuroimaging to examine the brains of 33 people with PTLD and compared them to 33 healthy controls.
The study found that people with PTLD had significantly lower gray matter density in the frontal and temporal lobes of their brains, as well as in the cerebellum. They also had reduced white matter integrity in the corpus callosum and thalamus.
Functionally, people with PTLD had reduced activity in the frontal and temporal lobes, as well as in the cerebellum. These findings suggest that PTLD is associated with widespread brain abnormalities that affect both structure and function.
The cause of PTLD is not known, but it is thought to be related to persistent infection with the Lyme bacteria. The study’s authors say that the brain abnormalities seen in PTLD may be a result of this persistent infection.
This study provides further evidence that PTLD is a serious, debilitating condition that can have long-lasting effects on the brain. More research is needed to better understand the cause of PTLD and to develop effective treatments.
A new neuroimaging study has found evidence of both functional and structural brain abnormalities in people with post-treatment Lyme disease. The findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Neurology, add to the growing body of research showing that Lyme disease can have lasting neurological effects.
The study used a variety of neuroimaging techniques to examine the brains of 25 people with post-treatment Lyme disease and 25 healthy controls. The participants with Lyme disease showed evidence of abnormalities in both brain function and structure.
Functionally, the Lyme disease patients had reduced activity in several brain regions, including the medial prefrontal cortex, which is involved in higher-level cognitive functions such as planning and decision-making. The patients also showed reduced connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex and other brain regions.
Structurally, the Lyme disease patients had abnormalities in the white matter of the brain. White matter is composed of nerve fibers that transmit signals between different brain regions. The abnormalities in the Lyme disease patients were associated with reduced white matter integrity and reduced brain volume.
The findings of this study suggest that Lyme disease can cause long-lasting brain damage. This is consistent with other research showing that Lyme disease can lead to cognitive impairments, fatigue, and mood disorders.
If you or someone you know has Lyme disease, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Lyme disease is a treatable condition, but if it is not treated early, it can cause serious and lasting damage.
