Long-term effects of COVID could lead to Alzheimer's- new findings

New research has found a link between COVID-19 and lasting neurological cognitive deficits, including the acceleration of Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Association said in a press release. 

The findings, which were announced at the 2021 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, held virtually and in Denver, reveal that some COVID-19 patients experience short- and/or long-term neuropsychiatric symptoms, including loss of smell and taste, and cognitive and attention deficits, known as “brain fog.” For some, mostly older adults, these neurological symptoms carry on, data shows, and researchers are working to understand the mechanisms by which this brain dysfunction occurs, and what that could mean for long term cognitive health.  The Association noted that biological markers of brain injury, neuro-inflammation and Alzheimer’s correlate strongly with the presence of neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients and individuals experiencing cognitive decline post-COVID-19 infection. They found that the patients were more likely to have low blood oxygen following brief physical exercise, in addition to poor overall physical condition.