Memory problems triggered by COVID-19 could increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease, preliminary research shows

Getty Images / saemilee / bgblue

What we know: COVID-19 can manifest itself as anything from asymptomatic to debilitating to fatal, and it’s something for which 35.6 million Americans and above (10.8% of the population) have tested positive, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What we don’t know: What will be the long-term health impacts of the 35 million (so far) who survived their battle with the coronavirus.

So researchers are creating databases of survivors to learn as much as possible, as quickly as possible, in an attempt to mitigate future damage as much as possible.

Initially, we thought most of the residual damage would exist in the lungs, since COVID-19 is a respiratory virus. But scientists are learning that the collateral damage could be more systemic.

New research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association international conference in July 2021 reported links between COVID-19 and persistent cognitive deficits, including an increased rate of onset of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to the respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19, many people who test positive also suffer from short- 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 reliable scientific research, so their conclusions are considered preliminary. That being said, they made some important discoveries and suggest notable links between the virus and the brain.

Related: Best and Worst Foods for Brain Health, According to Dietitians

The first results of a study published in Alzheimer’s and dementia on survivors who reside in Greece and Argentina suggests that elderly people who have recovered from COVID-19 often suffer from persistent cognitive impairment, including a long-term lack of smell. More than half of the 300 people who tested positive in the past still struggled with forgetfulness for at least 3 to 6 months after their recovery, and 1 in 4 had other cognitive problems, such as difficulty speaking. All of the above had more to do with lingering smell issues but, surprisingly, not the severity of their original case of COVID-19. This link is likely related to the olfactory bulb in the brain, which processes smell and also signals other parts of the brain that play roles in emotions, learning, and memory.

The story continues

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

Related: 5 things you shouldn’t do when trying to improve brain health and 5 things you should

Further research presented at AAIC in July found that biomarkers of brain damage, brain inflammation, and Alzheimer’s disease are strongly correlated with the presence of neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients.

“These results are not necessarily surprising,” adds Edelmayer. “Since the influenza pandemic of 1917 and 1918, many influenza-like viruses have been associated with brain disorders. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, is also known to impact the brain and nervous system, as we have seen in infected people who have reported loss of smell and sense of smell. taste and a “brain fog”. These symptoms indicate that the virus can impact brain cells. “

What’s new here, Edelmayer points out, is that we are starting to see evidence accumulating that COVID-19 can cause lasting brain damage in older people.

While the virus itself may only be active in the body for about two weeks, the impacts can last a lifetime and potentially be life changing.

“The message is simple: don’t catch COVID-19; it is a preventable disease. The best way to do this is to get vaccinated and follow public health advice. If you’ve had COVID-19, it doesn’t mean you are destined to develop dementia or cognitive impairment, but it may increase your risk. If you’ve had COVID-19 and are having symptoms such as memory loss or disorientation, talk to your doctor, ”says Edelmayer.

If you do catch COVID-19, it is important to continue to take care of your future self, especially your cardiovascular health.

“We know what’s good for your heart is also good for your brain, and COVID-19 can also have long-term effects on your cardiovascular health, which may increase your risk for cognitive decline and dementia in the process. future, ”she adds.

The effects of COVID-19 on the brain also appear to vary with age, the researchers say. People in their 30s seem more likely to develop anxiety and depression, while people over the age of 60 notice forgetfulness.

“Much more longitudinal research is needed to understand how COVID-19 affects the brain in the long term,” says Edelmayer. “This virus hasn’t been around long enough for us to really understand how infection can lead to cognitive decline and even risk of dementia.”

These symptoms may improve over time, scientists say, but the correlation is enough to make them suspect that COVID-19 may accelerate the biological process that leads to Alzheimer’s disease later in life. For now, we can only wait and see, following these brain-stimulating strategies to reduce the risk of dementia, and getting the vaccine to dramatically reduce the chances of you getting the coronavirus (if you’re not one of the over-group). 70% of adult Americans already vaccinated).