The study may also shed light on the effects of Covid-19 on other types of brain cells, and on other lingering neurological effects of Covid-19 like "brain fog", headaches, and depression.
The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, also observed a decline in self-reports of smell and taste changes as early as five days after lockdown enforcement, with faster declines reported in countrie
The researchers believe the findings could help decision-makers take important measures at the local level, either in catching new outbreaks sooner, or in guiding the relaxation of local lockdowns.