Mounting scientific evidence suggests that being infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can have profound impacts on brain health. Studies have shown that COVID-19 leaves an indelible mark on the brain and its functioning.
Research has indicated that individuals who have had COVID-19 are at an increased risk of cognitive deficits, including memory problems. Studies have revealed significant and prolonged inflammation of the brain in individuals with mild to moderate forms of the virus, with changes comparable to seven years of brain aging.
Imaging studies conducted before and after COVID-19 infections have shown brain volume shrinkage and altered brain structure post-infection. Those who required hospitalization or intensive care due to COVID-19 may experience cognitive deficits and brain damage equivalent to 20 years of aging.
Preliminary analyses have shown that COVID-19 increases the risk of developing new-onset dementia in individuals over 60. Autopsies of individuals who died with COVID-19 have revealed devastating brain damage, with the virus still present in brain tissue months after infection.
Studies on patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and experiencing brain fog suggest that the virus can disrupt the blood-brain barrier, which protects the nervous system.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine assessed cognitive abilities in over 113,000 individuals who had previously had COVID-19. The study found significant deficits in memory and executive task performance among those infected, with cognitive decline observed across different phases of the pandemic and variants.
Another study involving 100,000 Norwegians documented worse memory function up to 36 months after a positive COVID-19 test. These findings underscore the serious risk that COVID-19 poses to brain health, even in mild cases, with implications for individuals, populations, and the economy.
