NEW research presented at July’s Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2021 reported connections between COVID-19 and persistent cognitive deficits, including increased speed of onset for Alzheimer’s disease. Along with the respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19, many individuals who test positive also suffer from short-term or long-term neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as loss of taste and smell and “brain fog.”

None of the studies have had time to be peer-reviewed yet, which is the standard for trusted scientific research, so their findings are considered preliminary. That being said, they had some significant findings and suggest notable connections between the virus and the brain.

Initial findings from one study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia on survivors who reside in Greece and Argentina suggests that older adults who have recovered from COVID-19 often suffer persistent cognitive impairment, including long-term lack of smell. More than half of the 300 individuals who had tested positive in the past still struggled with forgetfulness for at least 3 to 6 months after recovering, and 1 in 4 had other cognitive challenges, such as difficulty with speech. All of the above were more related to persistent problems with smell but, surprisingly, not to the severity of their original case of COVID-19. This link is likely related to the brain’s olfactory bulb, which processes smell — and also signals other portions of the brain that play a part in emotion, learning and memory.

“In some individuals, COVID-19 triggers a massive release of inflammatory signals that can lead to blood-brain barrier dysfunction, which can promote neuroinflammation and brain cell death,” explains Rebecca Edelmayer, the Chicago-based senior director of scientific engagement for the Alzheimer’s Association. “Other viral pandemics and epidemics — including the 1918 flu, SARS and MERS — have been connected to memory impairment, sleep disruption, anxiety, new onset seizures and delirium. These factors are all known to play a role in risk and progression of Alzheimer’s and other dementia.”

Other research presented at July’s AAIC discovered that the biological markers of brain injury, brain inflammation and Alzheimer’s disease correlate strongly with the presence of neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19’s effects on the brain also seem to vary with age, the researchers say. People in their 30s seem more likely to develop anxiety and depression, while seniors over 60 notice forgetfulness.(SD-Agencies)