February 29th 2024.
According to a recent article in The New York Times, researchers have discovered that individuals who experience long-term symptoms from COVID-19 may also experience a decline in their cognitive abilities. This study, which took place in England, involved over 113,000 participants and found that those with persistent post-COVID symptoms scored lower on cognitive tests compared to those who had never been infected.
The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, specifically highlights changes in cognitive skills such as memory, reasoning, and planning among long COVID patients. Even those who had recovered from the virus and were no longer experiencing symptoms showed a slight decrease in cognitive scores compared to those who had never been infected.
While the differences in cognitive scores were not significant, they provide concrete evidence for the cognitive difficulties reported by long COVID patients. Experts caution that these findings do not indicate severe deficits, but rather emphasize the importance of recognizing the brain fog and memory issues that can arise from long-term COVID.
Dr. James C. Jackson, a neuropsychologist from Vanderbilt Medical Center, commented on the study, stating that "these emerging findings are showing that there is cognitive impairment in long COVID survivors - it's a real phenomenon." While the differences in cognitive scores may not be considered significant on a standard IQ scale, experts highlight the potential impact on daily functioning for those affected.
Despite the concerning results of this study, there is some hope for long COVID patients. The study found that those who eventually recovered from the virus showed similar cognitive scores to those who had a quick recovery. This suggests that as symptoms improve, cognitive impairment may also decrease.
Led by researchers at Imperial College London, the study involved participants completing online cognitive assessments covering various mental skills such as spatial planning, verbal reasoning, and memory. These results raise further questions about the real-life implications of small cognitive changes, their potential long-term effects on dementia risk, and other factors that may impact cognitive scores in COVID patients.
While this study offers important insights into the cognitive challenges faced by long COVID patients, researchers stress the need for continued investigation and a comprehensive understanding of the complex effects of the virus on cognitive function. As we continue to navigate the post-pandemic landscape, it is crucial to acknowledge and address the potential long-term impacts of COVID-19 on individuals' cognitive abilities.
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