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People who have contracted COVID-19 may experience problems related to the functioning of the brain, according to researchers at Imperial College London. They also add that a severe course of infection may be associated with a decline in cognitive functions and aging of the brain by up to 10 years. The study has not yet been reviewed.
- The long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection may affect how the brain works and weaken its cognitive functions
- This is another proof that COVID-19 has a long-lasting effect on our body
- You can find more up-to-date information on the coronavirus on the TvoiLokony home page
The effects of COVID-19 on the brain long after it was diagnosed
Researchers from Imperial College London conducted analyzes of more than 8400 COVID-19 patients and found that some severe cases of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection are associated with significant cognitive deficits that persist for many months.
“Our analyzes are consistent with the view that there are chronic cognitive consequences associated with COVID-19,” the researchers wrote in the report, adding that people who recovered, including those who did not report symptoms, exhibited significant cognitive deficits.
Cognitive tests measure how well the brain is doing its tasks, such as remembering words or connecting the dots in the right order. Such assays are widely used to assess brain performance in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. They also assist doctors in assessing temporary brain disorders.
A team of researchers led by Adam Hampshire of Imperial College London analyzed the results of 84 people who completed a study called the Great British Intelligence Test. The results of this unreviewed study appeared on the MedRxiv website.
The researchers said cognitive deficits had a ‘significant impact’ on outcomes, especially among those hospitalized with COVID-19. In the worst cases, the brain’s performance has “aged” by 10 years.
Scientists who were not involved in the study, however, say these results should be treated with some caution.
- “Long COVID-19”. Scientists are studying the long-term symptoms of coronavirus infection
The effects of COVID-19 on the brain must be thoroughly investigated
The limitations related to the research of scientists from Imperial College London were discussed, among others, by Joanna Wardlaw, professor of Applied Neuroimaging at the University of Edinburgh. “The cognitive function of study participants was not known before COVID-19, and the results do not reflect long-term recovery,” she said, quoted by Reuters.
Similar concerns were made by Derek Hill, a professor of medical imaging at University College London, who noted that the test results may not be completely reliable as they do not compare the before and after results. In addition, the studies included a large number of people who self reported having developed COVID-19 but had no confirmed test results. “Overall, this is an intriguing but ambiguous piece of research into the effects of COVID-19 on the brain,” added Hill.
Are you infected with the coronavirus or someone close to you has COVID-19? Or maybe you work in the health service? Would you like to share your story or report any irregularities that you have witnessed or affected? Write to us at: [email protected]. We guarantee anonymity!
Scientists are trying to better understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the human body. It is important to conduct further research into the extent to which the infection affects the cognitive function of the brain in the first weeks and months after infection, and whether it causes permanent damage to brain function in some cases.
- Long and short term effects of COVID-19. What do we know about them?
- COVID-19 has a “long tail”. What are the long-term effects of coronavirus infection?
- Coronavirus COVID-19 – the most important questions and answers
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