Even mild cases of COVID-19 can lead to long-term cognitive problems, including memory loss and attention deficit, according to a study by researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil.
The study, published in the journal BMC Psychology, emphasizes the need for comprehensive rehabilitation to address these lasting cognitive impacts.
The study involved 302 volunteers and found cognitive impairment in 11.7% of those with mild COVID-19, 39.2% with moderate cases, and 48.9% with severe cases.
“Memory loss, attention deficit, and slow processing increase with the severity of the disease,” said Antônio de Pádua Serafim, the study’s lead author and a professor at USP. “But even those with mild or moderate COVID-19—around 100 people in our study—experienced significant cognitive issues.”
The results suggest that COVID-19-related neuroinflammation could be a cause of these cognitive problems.
“Memory loss and attention deficit are usually linked to post-intensive care syndrome due to intubation and deep anesthesia,” Serafim explained. “However, some of the study participants who didn’t need intensive care or hospitalization still showed these cognitive issues, pointing to the role of neuroinflammation.”
Participants with poor memory and attention test scores reported daily difficulties, such as forgetting words or routine activities like leaving pots on the stove or forgetting to pick up children from school.
“Attention is the primary function in all mental activities, so deficits here significantly impact daily life,” Serafim said. “High-quality attention is needed to think and act simultaneously in various ways. When attention is impaired, it also affects memory and decision-making.”
Serafim noted that while it’s known SARS-CoV-2 affects various organs, including the central nervous system, the extent of cognitive damage is still unclear. “We don’t know if these cognitive impairments are permanent, and we’re looking for ways to intervene,” he said.
Serafim’s team is developing programs to mitigate cognitive losses caused by COVID-19. They are exploring techniques like neurostimulation and neurofeedback to improve brain function. These non-invasive methods aim to enhance neural connections in the brain.
“We’ve had some success with individual cases,” Serafim said. “For example, a physician who spent 34 days in intensive care showed significant recovery after a neurofeedback protocol used for attention deficit disorder. But this was an isolated case.”
Serafim believes that cognitive stimulation and rehabilitation techniques might improve neural connectivity and overall cognitive ability. “The severe phase of the pandemic is over, but its cognitive impacts persist,” he said. “Many people have lasting cognitive issues from COVID-19, but we lack effective programs to address both the emotional and cognitive difficulties.”
This study underscores the importance of continued research and development of rehabilitation methods to help those affected by COVID-19-related cognitive impairments.
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