Cognitive impairment after long COVID-19: current evidence and perspectives

Abstract

COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is a respiratory infectious disease. While most patients recover after treatment, there is growing evidence that COVID-19 may result in cognitive impairment. Recent studies reveal that some individuals experience cognitive deficits, such as diminished memory and attention, as well as sleep disturbances, suggesting that COVID-19 could have long-term effects on cognitive function. Research indicates that COVID-19 may contribute to cognitive decline by damaging crucial brain regions, including the hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex. Additionally, studies have identified active neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and microglial activation in COVID-19 patients, implying that these factors may be potential mechanisms leading to cognitive impairment. Given these findings, the possibility of cognitive impairment following COVID-19 treatment warrants careful consideration. Large-scale follow-up studies are needed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on cognitive function and offer evidence to support clinical treatment and rehabilitation practices. In-depth neuropathological and biological studies can elucidate precise mechanisms and provide a theoretical basis for prevention, treatment, and intervention research. Considering the risks of the long-term effects of COVID-19 and the possibility of reinfection, it is imperative to integrate basic and clinical research data to optimize the preservation of patients' cognitive function and quality of life. This integration will also offer valuable insights for responding to similar public health events in the future. This perspective article synthesizes clinical and basic evidence of cognitive impairment following COVID-19, discussing potential mechanisms and outlining future research directions.

Cortical GABA Levels Are Reduced in Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome

“…Figure 1 illustrates PASC symptoms in terms of their perceived increase since recovering from COVID-19, ranging from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much). The most noticeable deterioration was reflected in memory deficits, brain fog, attention deficits, depression/anxiety, fatigue, etc., which is broadly consistent with previously reported evidence [9,14,34,[88][89][90]. Based on Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scales [91], our PASC cohort reported greater depression and anxiety compared to the general population norms (Figure 2), confirming extensive similar evidence [12,16,33,[88][89][90]92].…”

Confronting the Nursing Profession’s Workforce Challenges: Embracing Iceberg Demographics

“…Research findings validate the surge in the employment of U.S. working-age people with disabilities by approximately 1.5 million since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 (Deitz, 2022;Li et al, 2023). This surge is largely attributed to prolonged COVID-19 (also called long COVID), which led to an increase in cognitive impairments, particularly concentrated in adults under the age of 40.…”

The knowns and unknowns of long COVID-19: from mechanisms to therapeutical approaches

“…Most patients seem to return to normal life after infection with C-19, but many remain with mild symptoms that are often attributed to other daily factors such as fatigue, memory problems, and loss of attention, without realizing that these symptoms may be long-term symptoms caused by C-19 infection ( 68 ). Research shows that 1 in 8 patients may receive a neurological diagnosis after C-19, even after 6 months post SARS-2 infection ( 69 ).…”