Telha
Increasing scientific evidence indicates that infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, profoundly affects brain health in various ways.
Physician and clinical epidemiologist Ziyad Al-Aly penned an essay for The Conversation, later republished by Scientific American, outlining numerous studies highlighting the enduring impact of COVID-19 on the brain and its functions.
Al-Aly detailed that extensive epidemiological analyses revealed an elevated risk of cognitive impairments, including memory issues, among individuals who contracted COVID-19. Additionally, research on those with mild to moderate cases showed prolonged brain inflammation and changes equivalent to seven years of aging.
Autopsies on COVID-19 victims unveiled significant brain damage, even among those with mild symptoms. Notably, the virus persisted in brain tissue months after death, suggesting broader neurological implications beyond respiratory effects.
Studies on hospitalized patients with COVID-19 experiencing brain fog indicated disruptions to the blood-brain barrier, a vital shield safeguarding the nervous system.
Al-Aly highlighted findings showing cognitive decline equivalent to a three-point loss in IQ among those with resolved COVID-19, with more severe cases correlating with greater declines in cognitive function, up to a nine-point decrease for ICU admissions.
