A study conducted by researchers in England has shown more alarming details on the lasting impacts of Covid-19 on the brain. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, reveals that individuals experiencing long Covid may suffer from a significant decline in cognitive function, commonly referred to as "brain fog."
The CDC defines Long COVID as signs, symptoms, and problems that persist or develop following an acute COVID-19 infection. Long COVID-19 can cause a variety of lasting health issues, which might last weeks, months, or years.
A man receives a nasal swab during a test for Covid-19 at a street-side testing booth in New York on December 17, 2021.
Long COVID Can Cause a Six-Point Drop in IQ.
The research, which involved over 140,000 participants, aimed to understand the cognitive effects of Covid-19, particularly in those with persistent symptoms lasting beyond 12 weeks. What they discovered was alarming: individuals grappling with long Covid exhibited measurable memory and cognitive deficits equivalent to a staggering six-point drop in IQ.
Brain fog, a commonly reported symptom, is not just a fleeting sensation but correlates with objectively measurable deficits in cognitive function.
According to Dr. Adam Hampshire, a cognitive neuroscientist from Imperial College London and lead author of the study, brain fog as a symptom has been reported on quite extensively, but what the study shows is that brain fog can correlate with objectively measurable deficits (via The Guardian).
Cognitive Deficits Caused by COVID Infection
The study included online cognitive tests that assessed various aspects of brain function such as memory, attention, and reasoning. Participants with persistent symptoms showed significant deficits, particularly in memory recall, logical thinking, and executive function.
One of the most worrying findings of the study was the persistence of cognitive deficiencies even a year after infection. Individuals with resolved symptoms exhibited some improvement in cognitive function, but those with unresolved symptoms suffered more severe and long-lasting deficits.
Furthermore, the severity of cognitive decline varied based on several circumstances, including the duration of the illness, the type of virus variant, and whether the individual required hospitalization. Those who were hospitalized during their illness and had symptoms that lasted more than 12 weeks showed the most substantial cognitive problems.
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A Glimmer of Hope
Dr. Maxime Taquet, a psychiatrist and researcher at the University of Oxford, underscored the broader implications of these findings, stating that while the average cognitive deficits may seem small, they can significantly impact an individual's ability to work and function, particularly considering the scale of the pandemic.
However, the study also offers a glimmer of hope. Individuals with longer-lasting symptoms that eventually resolved showed improvement in cognitive function, indicating the potential for recovery over time.
Despite these encouraging findings, the researchers stress the importance of further investigation into the long-term effects of COVID-19 on cognitive function
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