New research reveals significant cognitive deficits linked to COVID-19, raising concerns about brain ageing and function

In a series of revelations that underscore the pervasive impact of COVID-19, clinical epidemiologist Ziyad Al-Aly has drawn attention to the significant toll the virus takes on brain health. Through extensive research and analysis, Al-Aly points to the “indelible mark” COVID-19 leaves on cognitive functions, including memory and executive tasks, indicating a critical area of concern for both individuals and the broader community.

Al-Aly, a leading figure at the Clinical Epidemiology Center at the VA St. Louis Health Care System, underscores the severity of COVID-19’s effects on the brain. His findings reveal that individuals who contract the virus are at a higher risk of experiencing cognitive deficits. This risk is alarmingly evident in those with mild to moderate forms of the virus, showcasing changes in brain structure akin to accelerated ageing—up to seven years in some cases.

The research highlights not only brain inflammation and volume shrinkage post-infection but also points to a disturbing connection between COVID-19 and the onset of dementia in older adults. These insights come from a comprehensive analysis combining data from 11 studies, illustrating the virus’s capacity to inflict lasting damage on neurological health.

Further autopsy studies on COVID-related deaths have unveiled devastating brain damage in the deceased, with the virus detectable in brain tissue months after acute infections. This evidence challenges the initial perception of COVID-19 as merely a respiratory disease, shedding light on its profound neurological implications.

A landmark study published in the New England Journal of Medicine delves deeper into the cognitive repercussions of COVID-19, analyzing the abilities of approximately 113,000 individuals. The findings are startling, with infected persons displaying significant deficits in memory and the execution of executive tasks, indicative of a broad and lasting impact on brain function.

This cognitive decline is quantifiable, with Al-Aly noting a drop in IQ levels among those who have recovered from mild COVID-19 cases and even more severe declines in patients with ongoing symptoms or those who have endured intensive care treatment. Another study involving 100,000 Norwegians confirmed reduced memory performance up to 36 months post-infection, reinforcing the long-term nature of COVID-19’s effects on the brain.

These insights into COVID-19’s impact on the brain emphasize the urgent need for further research and a comprehensive approach to managing the long-term consequences of the pandemic. As the world continues to navigate the aftermath of COVID-19, understanding and addressing its far-reaching effects on brain health becomes paramount.