Recent research has shed light on another potential impact of Long COVID: a decrease in cognitive abilities, or what many refer to as “brain fog.”
This study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, involved cognitive tests on nearly 113,000 people in England.
The results were revealing: those who had Long COVID showed a decrease in cognitive performance, scoring approximately 6 IQ points lower than individuals who had not been infected by the virus.
Interestingly, even those who recovered from COVID without lingering symptoms scored slightly lower, by about 3 IQ points, compared to those never infected.
These differences might seem minor, and experts emphasize that this does not suggest COVID leads to severe deficits in thinking or memory. Nonetheless, it confirms the brain fog reported by many Long COVID sufferers is real and not just in their heads.
“These findings…are highlighting that there is cognitive impairment in Long COVID survivors—it’s a real phenomenon,” noted James Jackson, a neuropsychologist who was not involved in the study.
There’s a silver lining, however. The study suggests cognitive impairments linked to Long COVID may improve once the symptoms of Long COVID resolve.
Participants who eventually recovered from Long COVID showed test scores similar to those who had a quick recovery from the virus.
It’s important to note the standard variation in IQ scores is about 15 points, making a shift of 3 or 6 points less significant in general. However, for certain professions or daily tasks, even mild deficits can pose challenges.
“If you’re an engineer and you have a slight decline in executive functioning, that’s a problem,” Jackson said, underscoring the practical implications of these findings.
The study, conducted by Imperial College London, involved an online cognitive test assessing various skills, including spatial planning and memory.
Responses varied, with the lowest scores typically among those infected early in the pandemic before the availability of vaccines and antiviral treatments. Vaccinated individuals generally performed better than those unvaccinated.
However, the study’s one-time measurement means it’s unclear if other life stresses affected the results. Furthermore, the findings raise questions about the real-world significance of the observed cognitive deficits.
The research underscores the vast number of individuals affected by Long COVID and their cognitive challenges.
“A deeper understanding of the biology of cognitive dysfunction after SARS-CoV-2 infection and how best to prevent and treat it are critical,” stated an editorial accompanying the study.
This call to action highlights the need for ongoing research to support those affected and preserve cognitive health across populations, reflecting the pandemic’s long-term impact on society.
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.
The research findings can be found in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Copyright © 2024 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
