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Cognitive dysfunction after covid-19
Cognitive dysfunction after covid-19
Cognitive problems are common after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and can be disabling and frightening Symptoms tend to improve, but this may take up to a year. Those with chronically persistent symptoms lasting more than 12 months have a lower chance of improving Symptoms usually fluctuate Assessment should be directed to documenting the nature and trajectory of the impairment and excluding alternative diagnoses Self-management techniques may help patients manage their condition As of March 2023, when the Office for National Statistics stopped collecting data on this condition, 1.879 million individuals had self-assessed as having long covid—symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks following acute covid-19 infection. Of these, the proportion of individuals with symptoms lasting two years or more is around 42%, suggesting a decline in new cases of long covid but a persistence of those with ongoing symptoms.1 Some systematic reviews and meta-analyses have reported that up to a third of such individuals have persistent symptoms of cognitive impairment,23 but estimates vary widely and are complicated by methodological heterogeneity—eg, study size, assessment approach, follow-up duration, and different sampling frames (from self-reported surveys4 to large retrospective matched cohort studies of health records5), as discussed in a recent meta-analysis.6 The pathological underpinnings and potential therapeutic possibilities for cognitive impairment in long covid are also uncertain. The bulk of evidence to date is mechanistic (using basic science, animal models, or human tissue), observational (using longitudinal cohort studies), or hypothetical (reasoning from basic principles); this literature has been well summarised by the RECOVER Consortium.7 Because of the methodological heterogeneity, even when individual studies have been rigorously conducted, it is difficult to know to what extent their findings can be extrapolated and generalised across those with long covid. A few randomised controlled trials of potential treatments (pharmacological and non-pharmacological) have been completed, and others are under way.7 Cognitive performance is typically conceptualised in terms of functional domains depending upon the task at hand. Domains are hierarchical and inter-related, ranging from more basic sensory and perceptual processes to executive functioning and cognitive control.8 Both psychometric studies and qualitative studies of the patient experience identify problems across one or more of these domains. The most frequent symptoms seem to affect memory, attention, and concentration9 but discrete impairments are also seen in attentional and executive processing,1011 different types of memory,1012 visuospatial processing,13 and language.12 Many patients show deficits in multiple domains,1214 which may or may not correlate with self-reported symptoms.15 Moreover, linked systemic symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, and a general befuddled state frequently termed “brain fog” are commonly reported. This seems to wax and wane with physical fatigue.16 A higher symptom burden is often associated with concomitant mood disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder, regardless of illness severity.15171819 Longitudinal cohort, case control, and qualitative studies have shown that while many individuals improve gradually over time, cognitive symptoms fluctuate unpredictably, causing uncertainty and (in some) anxiety.9202122 These impairments can have profound impacts on an individual’s life, with significant ramifications for relationships, jobs, and normal daily activities.422 This article explores the impact of these symptoms and offers a practical guide for GPs to help them approach cognitive dysfunction in individuals with long covid as indicated by the evolving and conflicting evidence base. An account from a patient’s perspective is given in box 1. Box 1 Patient experience When I got covid in December 2020 I was worried about what might happen. It was before vaccines, and the news was full of statistics of the hospitalised and those who’d lost their lives. After my 14 day isolation I was relieved to get back to normal life, thinking I had dodged quite a bullet. I was quickly aware that something wasn’t right. At the time of my infection I was a drama teacher in a secondary school. I remember being at work in January 2021 and finding it impossible to concentrate on what I had to do. Trying to focus made my head spin, and working on a computer screen was almost impossible. In the classroom I couldn’t process what was happening around me like I used to be able to, there was a sharpness lost, and that had a significant impact on both my teaching ability and classroom management. After several attempts at returning to work it became clear that I wasn’t able to continue, and I left teaching in January 2022. Alongside my difficulties focusing there are problems with memory. Remembering things from one minute to the next is often diff
·bmj.com·
Cognitive dysfunction after covid-19
Low Cortisol Levels May Be Key to Long COVID Symptoms
Low Cortisol Levels May Be Key to Long COVID Symptoms

Yet another stretch for one size fits all explanation of a multifaceted condition. Still, important finding:

“A groundbreaking study from the University of Colorado Boulder has uncovered a potential mechanism behind the persistent neurological symptoms experienced by many Long COVID sufferers. The research, published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, points to a significant drop in cortisol levels in the brain as a possible culprit, offering new insights into this complex and widespread condition.”

·scienceblog.com·
Low Cortisol Levels May Be Key to Long COVID Symptoms
Study uncovers the basis of COVID-19-related brain fog | University of Minnesota
Study uncovers the basis of COVID-19-related brain fog | University of Minnesota

EXTREME and incomplete oversimplification of the many complex neurological issues caused by SarsCov2, but important facet of the vaguely defined “brain fog” of Long Covid and post-acute Covid lingering symptoms.

“Neurological symptoms have been widely observed in COVID-19 patients, with many survivors exhibiting persistent neurological and cognitive impairment. New research from the University of Minnesota found that COVID-19 triggers inflammation in the brain, which is linked to many COVID-related symptoms such as fatigue and ‘brain fog.’”

·twin-cities.umn.edu·
Study uncovers the basis of COVID-19-related brain fog | University of Minnesota
Northwestern Medicine study shows neurologic symptoms of long COVID differ based on severity of initial COVID-19 infection - West Chicago Voice : Local News West Chicago News
Northwestern Medicine study shows neurologic symptoms of long COVID differ based on severity of initial COVID-19 infection - West Chicago Voice : Local News West Chicago News

Long Covid brain fog occurs in approximately a third of #COVID-19 survivors and is now the THIRD leading neurologic disorder in the United States. - Dr. Igor Koralnik Northwestern Medicine study details neurologic symptoms.

·westchicagovoice.com·
Northwestern Medicine study shows neurologic symptoms of long COVID differ based on severity of initial COVID-19 infection - West Chicago Voice : Local News West Chicago News
make sure that it hasn't returned. This year, my Dr. told me that they have found that if people who survived brain tumors get Covid, *all* the symptoms of their brain tumor will return. It has something to do with the hole in your brain that remains...
make sure that it hasn't returned. This year, my Dr. told me that they have found that if people who survived brain tumors get Covid, *all* the symptoms of their brain tumor will return. It has something to do with the hole in your brain that remains...
“This year, my Dr. told me that they have found that if people who survived brain tumors get Covid, all the symptoms of their brain tumor will return. It has something to do with the hole in your brain that remains...”
·x.com·
make sure that it hasn't returned. This year, my Dr. told me that they have found that if people who survived brain tumors get Covid, *all* the symptoms of their brain tumor will return. It has something to do with the hole in your brain that remains...
The most helpful educational series out there right now is Dr. Jarred Youngers video series on "Neuroinflammation, Pain, and Fatigue".
The most helpful educational series out there right now is Dr. Jarred Youngers video series on "Neuroinflammation, Pain, and Fatigue".

“The most helpful #MECFS #LongCovid educational series out there right now is Dr. Jarred Youngers video series on "Neuroinflammation, Pain, and Fatigue".

Start at the beginning or jump in as your interest is piqued. There are now 28 shortish videos (most under 15min) and this series will provide an incredible grounding in all things neuroinflammation.

Dr. Younger is all about the 'tools' and 'interventions' and patient education and has done more to educate us about available interventions for neuroinflammation than any other researcher.”

·x.com·
The most helpful educational series out there right now is Dr. Jarred Youngers video series on "Neuroinflammation, Pain, and Fatigue".
“Multiple hit” model shows that COVID protein potentiates subsequent infection-related neuroinflammation and other physiological problems - PolyBio Research Foundation
“Multiple hit” model shows that COVID protein potentiates subsequent infection-related neuroinflammation and other physiological problems - PolyBio Research Foundation
University of Colorado study in rats demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 protein activity drives longer-term vulnerability to another infection, augmenting physiological problems such as neuroinflammation, autonomic dysregulation, and hormonal imbalances
University of Colorado study in rats demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 protein activity drives longer-term vulnerability to another infection, augmenting physiological problems such as neuroinflammation, autonomic dysregulation, and hormonal imbalances
·polybio.org·
“Multiple hit” model shows that COVID protein potentiates subsequent infection-related neuroinflammation and other physiological problems - PolyBio Research Foundation
Wes Wilson on Twitter
Wes Wilson on Twitter

Study from CAMH found, via PET scans, elevated levels of the protein TSPO, a brain marker of inflammation, in patients with onset of depression in long covid

more than 200 million globally may experience lingering neurological symptoms from COVID, including depression, memory impairment, slower motor control, low motivation and energy, for months to even years due to brain inflammation from long COVID

this along side everything we have learned in the last 2.5 years ( much summarized in the lit review done by Stanford and Yale, linked in the comments ) moves us a step closer in understanding the underlying biological mechanisms behind these symptoms

·twitter.com·
Wes Wilson on Twitter
laurie allee on Twitter
laurie allee on Twitter
"This comprehensive analysis of patients with neuro-PASC revealed a disabling but difficult to characterize syndrome that develops even after relatively mild COVID-19. A common feature is memory impairment."
·twitter.com·
laurie allee on Twitter
Long COVID and Dementia: The Link Is Still Elusive | ALZFORUM
Long COVID and Dementia: The Link Is Still Elusive | ALZFORUM
154,000 veterans who had COVID were 1.4 times likelier to have a neurologic condition--memory problems, stroke, neuropathy, mental health disorders, migraines, or seizures--in year following illness. This was true for all COVID cases, from mild to severe.
·alzforum.org·
Long COVID and Dementia: The Link Is Still Elusive | ALZFORUM
Could long covid change brain activity
Could long covid change brain activity
"Scientists report that brain scans of long COVID patients show abnormal activity in areas related to memory...likened the brain changes to what happens in HIV patients and in those with traumatic brain injury."
·usnews.com·
Could long covid change brain activity
Canadian neurocognitive disorder expert speaks to Global Workers Inquest into the Pandemic: “To say ‘they are old, they can die’—it’s criminal”
Canadian neurocognitive disorder expert speaks to Global Workers Inquest into the Pandemic: “To say ‘they are old, they can die’—it’s criminal”
"The impact I am seeing on my clients post-COVID is something I hadn’t seen previously in the years I have worked in this field. The cognitive decline post-COVID infection is immense, thus confirming the impact this virus has on the brain..."
·wsws.org·
Canadian neurocognitive disorder expert speaks to Global Workers Inquest into the Pandemic: “To say ‘they are old, they can die’—it’s criminal”
The effects of COVID-19 on cognitive performance in a community-based cohort: A COVID Symptom Study Biobank observational study
The effects of COVID-19 on cognitive performance in a community-based cohort: A COVID Symptom Study Biobank observational study
"Cognitive deficits following SARS-CoV-2 infection were detectable nearly two years post infection, and largest for individuals with longer symptom durations, ongoing symptoms, and/or more severe infection."
·medrxiv.org·
The effects of COVID-19 on cognitive performance in a community-based cohort: A COVID Symptom Study Biobank observational study
BIRCH on Twitter
BIRCH on Twitter

Even mild Covid can cause impairments with all five of your senses for long periods after the initial infection. *all images available as editable, printable files, DM for info.

·twitter.com·
BIRCH on Twitter