Long COVID, the prolonged and debilitating effects of COVID-19, has been linked to a decrease in IQ, according to a worrying new research study. The report, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, highlights the long-term cognitive deficits associated with the virus and sheds light on the phenomenon known as brain fog.
Researchers aimed to gain a better understanding of brain fog, a mentally straining condition experienced by many COVID-19 patients. The study found that COVID-19 was associated with objectively measurable cognitive deficits that can impact a person’s IQ. The most significant reduction in IQ was observed in individuals who experienced symptoms for approximately 12 weeks.
Another unrelated study revealed that nearly a quarter of American COVID-19 patients experienced symptoms lasting three months or more. This emphasizes the prevalence and severity of long COVID and its potential impact on cognitive function.
Author Adam Hampshire from Imperial College London explained that brain fog has been extensively reported as a symptom but lacked clarity in terms of its nature. However, this study demonstrates that brain fog correlates with measurable deficits, which is a significant finding.
The research involved assessments of over 141,000 individuals, focusing on various cognitive tasks such as immediate memory, mental manipulation, spatial working memory, spatial planning, reasoning, word definitions, information sampling, and delayed memory. The authors noted that memory, reasoning, and executive function tasks were particularly sensitive to COVID-19-related cognitive differences.
Interestingly, the study also found that earlier cases of the original virus or the alpha variant at the beginning of the pandemic had the most substantial impact on cognitive decline. Additionally, participants who received two or more COVID-19 vaccinations seemed to have a slight cognitive advantage and experienced minimal effects from subsequent episodes of the illness.
While only 3.5% of patients in the Imperial College study exhibited symptoms for 12 weeks or longer, experts stress that this number is more concerning than it appears. Psychiatrist Dr. Maxime Taquet from Oxford University emphasized that even if the cognitive deficits are relatively small on average, a significant minority of individuals experience more significant deficits that can affect their ability to work and function.
The implications of this research are particularly worrisome given the scale of the pandemic and the number of people affected. Long COVID has already proven to be a debilitating condition, and the added cognitive decline raises further concerns about the long-term impact on individuals’ lives.
As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing effects of COVID-19, it is crucial to prioritize research and support for those experiencing long COVID. Understanding the cognitive deficits associated with the virus can help healthcare professionals develop targeted interventions and support systems for affected individuals. Additionally, further investigation into the long-term consequences of COVID-19 is necessary to mitigate potential long-lasting effects on cognitive function and overall well-being.
