Covid could cause significant increase in dementia cases: Alzheimer group

SINGAPORE – The world may not be prepared for an impending wave of dementia and the additional cases Covid-19 could bring, according to a group representing more than 100 Alzheimer’s and dementia associations around the world.

Alzheimer’s Disease International urges the World Health Organization and governments around the world to “urgently accelerate research into the potential impact of COVID-19 on increasing rates of dementia.”

He says the pandemic could lead to a significant increase in the number of patients with dementia in the long term, as some research has shown that Covid infections can increase the likelihood that a person will develop dementia and that symptoms of dementia will appear. earlier.

Dementia generally refers to a deterioration of the brain that impairs memory, thoughts, behavior, and emotions. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, and there is currently no cure for dementia.

In the short term, “rates of dementia may decline temporarily due to the high number of deaths of people with dementia from COVID-19, with between 25 and 45% of all deaths from COVID-19 estimated to be people with dementia. of dementia, “the London-based group said in a statement on Wednesday.

But in the longer term, the number of people with dementia “could increase dramatically due to the neurological impact of COVID-19,” he added.

Since the coronavirus first appeared in China in late 2019, more than 217 million cases of Covid-19 have been reported – and more than 18 million have been detected in the past 28 days, according to official data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

The actual number of Covid cases worldwide is likely higher than what has been reported. This is in part due to factors such as a lack of tests to discover infections and an insufficient capacity to report cases.

More should be done to understand the link between Covid dementia, said Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI).

“Many dementia experts around the world are seriously concerned about the link between dementia and the neurological symptoms of COVID-19,” said Paola Barbarino, CEO of ADI.

The group’s medical and scientific advisory committee, made up of global experts on dementia, set up a working group to study this link and make recommendations on how to deal with the problem.

Dr Alireza Atri, cognitive neurologist and chairman of the advisory committee, said he was “particularly concerned” about the effects of the so-called long Covid. This includes symptoms such as loss of taste and smell, “brain fog” or loss of mental clarity, as well as difficulty concentrating, remembering and thinking, he added.

Atri, who is director of the Banner Sun Health Research Institute in the United States, explained that Covid can damage and clot microvessels in the brain, impair the body’s immunity and cause inflammation.

This can give “easier access to things that can damage your brain” and cause symptoms of neurological disorders – such as dementia – to appear earlier, the doctor said.

The World Health Organization has estimated that around 50 million people suffer from dementia worldwide, with nearly 10 million new cases each year.

Even before Covid-19, forecasts showed dementia cases could drop from 55 million to 78 million by 2030, according to ADI. The costs associated with dementia, including medical care and expenses, could reach $ 2.8 trillion per year, the group added.

“We urge WHO, governments and research institutions around the world to prioritize and commit more research funds and to establish resources in this space, in order to avoid being further overwhelmed by the pandemic. of coming dementia, ”said Barbarino.

A better understanding of the link between Covid and dementia can help authorities manage the increased prevalence of dementia and identify symptoms as early as possible, Barbarino said.

“Knowing the warning signs and symptoms of dementia allows people to seek more information, advice and support, which can lead to a diagnosis,” she said.

“We need people to be aware of the possible link between the long COVID and dementia, so they know they need to watch for the symptoms themselves and catch it in its tracks.”