Older adults recovering from COVID-19 face a 58% higher risk of developing dementia compared to those uninfected, with rates peaking 12 months post-infection.

Study reviewed 11 studies, 940k cases, 6.8M controls.

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. “

“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.”

A 43% increase cognitive disabilities since 2019.

“This is tragic and horrifying. And it’s going to get progressively worse as we’re all systematically reinfected.”

Whoopi Goldberg, who just had her 4th COVID infection, joked about her post infection brain damage on TV.

“I’m just getting over COVID – again – and I can barely remember anybody’s name. There are times when I go for a word and it’s not there.”