A study conducted at Northwell Health revealed that older adults who had been taking psychotropic medication before being hospitalized due to COVID-19 faced a higher risk of developing dementia.
This research involved an analysis of 1,755 patients aged over 65 who had been hospitalized with COVID-19.
A Closer Look at the Patients’ Medical History
Out of these patients, 12.7 percent developed dementia within one year of their hospitalization.
The study further showed that patients who had been on psychotropic medication prior to their hospitalization exhibited a higher risk of post-COVID dementia.
Psychotropic medications, including antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants, affect a person’s mental state, mood, and behavior.
Highest Dementia Risk Categories
The risk of developing post-COVID dementia was most prevalent among patients who had been taking antipsychotics and mood stabilizers/anticonvulsants.
The study also identified delirium, a state of confusion and disorientation, as a significant risk factor for post-COVID dementia.
The Medical Approach
Despite these findings, the researchers emphasized that their study does not suggest people should discontinue their psychotropic medication.
Instead, they recommend that healthcare providers should take into account a patient’s medication history when assessing their risk of post-COVID dementia.
COVID-19 and Dementia Connection
COVID-19 has been linked to a higher risk of dementia in older adults, with some recovered patients reporting neurological symptoms, such as confusion, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating, also known as “brain fog”.
The virus has been found to cause inflammation in the brain and potentially damage brain cells, leading to cognitive impairment and dementia.
Monitoring and Prevention
Due to COVID-19’s potential impact on brain health, it’s vital for healthcare providers to closely monitor the cognitive function of patients who have had the virus, particularly those at higher risk of developing dementia.
Preventative measures like staying physically active, eating healthily, and managing chronic health conditions can help lower the risk of dementia.
Further Research Needed
There is a pressing need for additional research to understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 on brain health and to develop strategies to counter these effects.
It’s also worth noting the significant impact of COVID-19 on individuals with pre-existing dementia, who may experience a rapid progression of cognitive decline after contracting the virus.
Further studies are being conducted on how diets can help manage post-COVID syndrome, and how zinc could help reduce COVID-19 infection risk.
For more information about brain health, recent studies have shown links between ultra-processed foods and higher dementia risk, and the potential benefits of Vitamin B supplements in reducing dementia risk.
The findings of this study were published in the medical journal Frontiers in Medicine.
If you care about COVID, please read studies about Vitamin D deficiency linked to severe COVID-19, and how diets could help manage post-COVID syndrome.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that blueberry supplements may prevent cognitive decline, and results showing higher magnesium intake could help benefit brain health.
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