"Widespread use of metal caused estimated 2- to 3-point drop in IQ for nearly 180 years of Pax Romana"

Meanwhile, #Covid in 5 years: "Participants with persistent symptoms had a 6-point loss in IQ, while those who had been admitted to an ICU experienced a 9-point loss in IQ."

“COVID-19 may Enduringly Impact cognitive performance and brain haemodynamics in undergraduate students”

“37 % of the undergraduates exhibited impaired cognition up to 17 months post-infection.”

“Cognitive deficits after COVID-19 associated with brain injury biomarkers and volume loss”

The study found that patients hospitalized with COVID-19, both with and without acute neurological complications, had worse cognitive scores than expected for their age, sex, and education level. These cognitive deficits were observed across all cognitive domains tested. The cognitive impairment was associated with increased levels of brain injury biomarkers in the blood and reduced volume of a specific brain region (the anterior cingulate cortex) on MRI scans. Factors like the severity of the initial COVID-19 illness and the presence of acute confusion (encephalopathy) were linked to the worst cognitive scores.

“The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 presents a wide spectrum of neurological manifestations."

"Although there is an improvement in the survival rate of patients with COVID-19, the frequency of neurological manifestations increases."

"The occurrence of delirium, cerebrovascular diseases, and ischemic stroke results in higher mortality."

“If you’re not noticing the (obvious) cognitive impairment in practically everyone around you, it may be due to your own cognitive decline.

Or denial is rearing its ugly head once again.

Perhaps it’s easier for me considering my background, but honestly, it’s so bloody palpable.”

Long COVID is linked to reduced serotonin levels, which are driven by viral RNA-induced type I interferons (IFNs).

Peripheral serotonin deficiency impairs cognition by reducing vagal nerve signaling, affecting hippocampal responses and memory.

“The buddy from college I talk about every now and again.

He’s prolly 50 or so. He posted this a few days ago. He has already had a rough go of it, he has a daughter he is devoted to, and who loves him immensely.

I am as sad as I am angry. “

“Ugh. The more we learn about it, the uglier it looks.

This, again, speaks to my point about tail risk in an emergent situation: it’s at least as bad as it looks. It may be worse.

We are badly underestimating the consequences of delayed risk. It’s a reckless approach. (1/)”

“Worse, most people don’t even notice it has happened to themselves.

But I can tell you we who continue to mask and have many fewer COVID infections can see the growing cognitive damage in more and more people around us.

Memory problems, like recall and word finding delays. Weakness and fatigue and motor control impairment. Growing executive function and emotional regulation deficits.

More and more friends disables and forced out of work or school by Long COVID symptoms.

It’s scary to witness the broad societal decline, and dispiriting to see so many governments and Public Health agencies persist in minimizing the growing problem.”