Mounting Research Shows that COVID-19 Leaves its Mark on the Brain, Including with Significant Drops in IQ Scores
From the very early days of the pandemic, a condition known as brain fog emerged as a significant health concern for many individuals recovering from COVID-19. Brain fog is a term used to describe a state of mental sluggishness, lack of clarity, and haziness that makes it difficult to concentrate, remember things, and think clearly. Now, four years into the pandemic, there is an abundance of evidence showing that being infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can have a profound impact on brain health.
In addition to brain fog, COVID-19 can lead to a range of problems, including headaches, seizure disorders, strokes, sleep problems, tingling and paralysis of the nerves, as well as several mental health disorders. A growing body of evidence throughout the pandemic has detailed the various ways that COVID-19 leaves a lasting mark on the brain. However, the specific mechanisms by which the virus affects the brain are still being studied, and there are currently no curative treatments available.
Two recent studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine have shed further light on the profound toll of COVID-19 on cognitive health. These studies provide valuable insights into how COVID-19 affects the brain and its implications for individuals’ cognitive abilities.
One study assessed cognitive abilities such as memory, planning, and spatial reasoning in nearly 113,000 people who had previously been infected with COVID-19. The researchers found that those who had been infected experienced significant deficits in memory and executive task performance. This decline was observed in individuals infected during the early phase of the pandemic as well as those infected with the delta and omicron variants. These findings indicate that the risk of cognitive decline did not diminish as the virus evolved.
The study also revealed that individuals with mild and resolved COVID-19 experienced a three-point loss in IQ, while those with persistent symptoms had a six-point loss, and those who had been admitted to the intensive care unit had a nine-point loss. Reinfection with the virus contributed an additional two-point loss in IQ. To put these findings into perspective, an average IQ is around 100. An IQ below 70 generally indicates a level of intellectual disability that may require significant societal support.
Another study conducted in Norway involving over 100,000 individuals documented worse memory function up to 36 months following a positive SARS-CoV-2 test. These findings further emphasize the long-term impact of COVID-19 on cognitive health.
These studies, along with numerous others, highlight the serious risk that COVID-19 poses to brain health, even in mild cases. The effects are now being observed at the population level. Data from the U.S. Current Population Survey showed that after the start of the pandemic, an additional 1 million working-age Americans reported having difficulty remembering, concentrating, or making decisions. This trend was particularly prominent among younger adults between the ages of 18 to 44. Similarly, data from the European Union indicated that 15% of people reported memory and concentration issues in 2022.
Moving forward, it is crucial to identify who is most at risk and understand how these trends might affect educational attainment and economic productivity. Additionally, further research is needed to determine the extent to which these cognitive impairments will influence the epidemiology of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The growing body of research confirms that COVID-19 should be recognized as a virus with a significant impact on the brain. The implications are far-reaching, from individuals experiencing cognitive struggles to potential impacts on populations and the economy. Unraveling the true causes behind these cognitive impairments will require extensive efforts from researchers worldwide, and unfortunately, nearly everyone is a test case in this unprecedented global undertaking.
In conclusion, the evidence is clear: COVID-19 leaves a lasting mark on the brain, including significant drops in IQ scores. The long-term effects of the virus on cognitive health are now being revealed, and it is crucial to address these implications for individuals, populations, and the economy. As researchers continue to study the mechanisms behind these cognitive impairments, it is essential to prioritize brain health in the fight against COVID-19.
