New evidence worries doctors about long-term damage from coronavirus "brain fog"

 

New evidence worries doctors about long-term damage from coronavirus"brain fog"

A series of new scientific findings are raising renewed concern among clinicians about the long-term cognitive effects of COVID-19. 

Several new studies presented Alzheimer's Association International Conference, held this week in Denver, have found that many COVID-19 patients develop "brain fog" and other cognitive impairments months after recovery. This research on the long-term symptoms of COVID-19, which can include confusion, forgetfulness, and other troubling signs of memory loss.

"This research presents the first data from an international consortium, including the Alzheimer's Association, looking at the long-term results of COVID-19 on the brain," said Heather Snyder, vice president of medical and scientific relations for the Alzheimer's Association. Prepared notes.

It wasn't enough time for researchers to know if these worrisome symptoms eventually went away. However, they point to these studies as renewed evidence that everyone — especially older adults who are already at risk for cognitive decline — should get vaccinated.

"As we work together further to understand the lasting effects of COVID-19 on the brain, the take-home message is simple: Don't get COVID-19. The best way to do by vaccination," Maria Carrillo, the Alzheimer's Association chief scientific officer, said in prepared notes.

Researchers at Texas University studied the sense of 300 older American Indian adults from Argentina who had COVID-19 and found that 50% had persistent problems with forgetfulness and 25% had additional issues with language and executive impairment.

"So far, our efforts to deliver supportive therapies have shown improvement, but recovery time is still measured in months. Finding the cause and mechanism for these inflammatory changes in the brain would be the first place to start addressing how to reverse or prevent these changes," said Gott.

Researchers from the University of Thessaly reviewed the cognitive function and general health of 32 patients with mild to moderate infection from COVID two months after hospitalization. They found that more than 50% experienced mental decline, especially with short-term memory. They also found that more insufficient memory and thinking scores were associated with a lower oxygen saturation level during the short walking test.

"Many of the cognitive changes we see reflect in many ways Alzheimer's disease or PTSD," Gott said. More apparent is that the severity of acute infection does not directly predict neurocognitive changes after the acute phase is over.