What scientists are learning about COVID-19 and the brain

Your Complex Brain

It’s been more than two years since Susie Goulding contracted COVID-19. But, like many others experiencing long COVID, her ordeal is far from over.
On today’s episode of Your Complex Brain, Heather explores what the medical and science communities are learning about the long-term impacts of COVID-19 – and all the mysteries that remain.
After hearing a first-hand account from Susie, Heather meets with three researchers and clinicians at UHN, all of whom are investigating COVID’s enduring brain-related symptoms, such as headaches, brain fog and memory issues. They discuss what is currently being studied, the latest insights into what may be causing these symptoms, and how to provide effective treatments.
Featuring:
Dr. Carmela Tartaglia, a Cognitive Neurologist and Clinician Investigator with Krembil Brain Institute. Dr. Tartaglia is also co-Director of UHN’s Memory Clinic. She is currently involved in a number of studies looking at the cognitive and neuropsychiatric impact of long COVID on patients, as well as sex and gender differences in long COVID.
Dr. Angela Cheung is an Internal Medicine Specialist and Senior Scientist at UHN. Dr. Cheung is the co-Lead Investigator of the Canadian COVID-19 Prospective Cohort Study, also known as CANCOV, which is designed to better understand the short and long-term outcomes for patients with long COVID and their caregivers.
Dr. Abdu Sharkawy is an Internal Medicine & Infectious Diseases Specialist at UHN. Under the mentorship and support of Dr. Cheung, he has become an active and dedicated consultant to UHN’s Long Covid Clinic. Dr. Sharkawy is also a trusted public figure who is regularly called upon by media, to comment on the latest COVID-19-related news and information.
Special thanks to Susie Goulding for sharing her story.

Additional Resources:
The Canadian COVID-19 Prospective Cohort Study (at UHN)
Toronto Rehab Long Covid Clinic
COVID Long Haulers Facebook Support Group Canada
COVID Long Haulers Canada
Listen to Dr. Angela Cheung on UHN’s Behind the Breakthrough podcast
Listen to Susie Goulding on

The Your Complex Brain production team is Heather Sherman, Jessica Schmidt, Dr. Amy Ma, Kim Perry, Alley Wilson, Sara Yuan, Meagan Anderi, Liz Chapman, and Lorna Gilfedder.
The Krembil Brain Institute, part of University Health Network, in Toronto, is home to one of the world's largest and most comprehensive teams of physicians and scientists uniquely working hand-in-hand to prevent and confront problems of the brain and spine, such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, epilepsy, stroke, spinal cord injury, chronic pain, brain cancer or concussion, in their lifetime. Through state-of-the-art patient care and advanced research, we are working relentlessly toward finding new treatments and cures.
Do you want to know more about the Krembil Brain Institute at UHN? Visit us at: uhn.ca/krembil
To get in touch, email us at [email protected] or message us on social media:
Instagram - @krembilresearch
Twitter - @KBI_UHN
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KrembilBrainInstitute
Thanks for listening!