Results from two new studies, part of a long-term research project at the University of Cambridge investigating the lasting effects of COVID-19 on cognition in the months following acute illness, reveal that many long COVID patients suffer from significant memory or concentration impairment even after mild cases. According to a report from New Atlas, based on findings published in Frontiers in Aging and Neuroscience, lead researcher Lucy Cheecky stated, "The long-term effects of COVID should be taken more seriously, considering that cognitive issues are an important part of it."
#### Cognitive Terrain Mapping
The new findings come from an ongoing project called the COVID and Cognitive Study (COVCOG). The study recruited around 200 COVID-19 patients in late 2020/early 2021 and approximately the same number of demographically matched non-infected individuals with the goal of "mapping the cognitive terrain" in cases of post-acute COVID-19.
#### Concerning Percentages
Nearly two-thirds of the COVID-19 group reported long COVID symptoms, defined as suffering from one or more symptoms for over 12 weeks after the initial diagnosis. Among those experiencing long COVID, the results revealed that 78% struggle with concentration, 69% experience brain fog, 68% report memory issues, and roughly 40% show signs of a condition known as semantic fluency impairment (saying or writing the wrong word). The study also found that these long COVID individuals faced significant disruptions in their daily lives, with more than half unable to work for extended periods and one-third losing their jobs due to their illness.
#### Challenges from Healthcare Providers
Perhaps most striking is that research found half of the long COVID group reported difficulties getting healthcare providers to take their ongoing symptoms seriously. Researcher Muzaffar Kaser confirmed that these findings underscore the reality and seriousness of the condition for these patients. He added, "This is important evidence that when people say they are experiencing cognitive difficulties post-COVID, it is not necessarily a result of anxiety or depression. The effects are measurable, and there is something concerning. Memory difficulties can significantly impact daily lives, extending to the ability to perform jobs properly."
#### Excessive Early Immune Response
The new research concluded that there are "objective cognitive differences" between those infected and those not infected with COVID-19. However, it remains unclear what exactly causes these persistent negative cognitive symptoms. Researchers hypothesize that ongoing inflammation is an objective cause of the condition but suggest that more targeted research is needed to verify that hypothesis. Kaser emphasized that "infection with the virus causing COVID-19 can lead to inflammation in the body, which can affect behavior and cognitive performance in ways not yet fully understood, but researchers believe it is related to the excessive early immune response."
