Covid-19 can have a negative effect on short-term memory function and working memory, a new study has gone to suggest.
Researchers have warned that those who suffer from ongoing coronavirus symptoms may continue to experience difficulties throughout their life.
Experts at Hull York Medical School have said that while memory function can improve over time, long Covid sufferers may continue to experience issues.
With many Brits suffering from the condition - which includes symptoms such as anxiety, brain fog and severe fatigue - medics have gone on to state that memory issues related to the virus are not as well researched.
The team at Hull York Medical School used an online anonymous survey which included a memory quiz to research the correlation between short-term memory function and Covid-19.
Over 5,400 people took part between December 2020 and July 2021, with around 31 per cent having had one Covid infection during that time, and 68.6 per cent of respondents never having Covid.
Researchers said it was clear from the analysis that there were factors that significantly affected the reduction in memory scores in all Covid-19 groups - including those that were self-reported, positive-tested and hospitalised - compared to those who had not been infected.
Moreover, the factors that significantly affected memory scores were found to be Covid-19 status, age, time post-Covid and whether individuals were experiencing ongoing symptoms.
Experts also researched memory scores, and found that those over the age of 25 had a decline in function.
The study which was published in Plos One - also found that memory scores gradually increased over a period of 17 months post-Covid.
However, those with ongoing symptoms continued to show a reduction in memory scores.
Speaking about the research, Dr Heidi Baseler, senior lecturer in imaging sciences at Hull York Medical School, University of York, who was first author on the study, said: “Although it is well known that Covid-19 affects the respiratory system, it is perhaps less well known that it can also have neurological consequences and affect cognitive function, such as memory."
The co-author on the study, Dr Aziz Asghar, a senior lecturer in neuroscience at Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, said: “We wanted to develop a survey which would engage as wide an audience as possible, to allow us to rapidly assess the impact of Covid-19 specifically on working memory function."
And Dr Baseler went on to add: “What the study demonstrates is that Covid-19 negatively impacts working memory or short-term memory function, but only in adults aged 25 years and over.
“While the survey suggests that memory function with Covid-19 can recover over time, our findings indicate that those with ongoing symptoms may continue to experience difficulty with short-term memory.”
It is important to note that the study was conducted at a time when Covid variants such as Alpha and Delta were in circulation.
While Omicron, is the current strain doing the rounds, it has proven to be milder than those that came before it.
Millions of Brits also now have protection from the bug in the form of vaccines or prior infection.
What is brain fog and how is it linked to Coronavirus?
Brain fog is used to describe a range of symptoms including:
- poor concentration
- feeling confused
- thinking more slowly than usual
- fuzzy thoughts
- forgetfulness
- lost words
- mental fatigue
While recovering from coronavirus, some people experience brain fog, and it is a common part of long Covid. However, symptoms may vary and change over time, and can feel similar to the effects of sleep deprivation or stress.
It should be noted that people usually recover from brain fog.
In order to manage symptoms, people have been advised to: stay hydrated, get enough sleep, take regular breaks, take regular exercise - ideally outside and eat a healthy, balanced diet.
However, you should always contact your GP if your symptoms persist.
