A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has uncovered a concerning link between long COVID and declines in cognitive function, shedding light on yet another way the condition can impact health.
The study, conducted in England, involved cognitive testing on nearly 113,000 individuals. Researchers found that those who experienced long COVID scored significantly lower on IQ tests compared to those who had never been infected with the virus. Specifically, individuals with long COVID scored an average of 6 IQ points lower, while even those who experienced COVID without lingering symptoms scored 3 IQ points lower than uninfected individuals.
Although the differences in scores were relatively small, experts emphasized that they provide compelling evidence that the brain fog associated with long COVID is a genuine phenomenon. James Jackson, a neuropsychologist at Vanderbilt Medical Center, commented that these findings underscore the presence of cognitive impairment in long COVID survivors.
Importantly, the study also offered a glimmer of hope for those affected by long COVID. It found that individuals whose long COVID symptoms eventually resolved saw improvements in their cognitive function over time, with testing scores returning to levels similar to those who had experienced a quick recovery.
However, experts caution that even mild deficits in cognitive function can have significant implications, particularly in certain professions or daily activities. While a shift of 3 or 6 IQ points may not typically be considered significant in isolation, it could still impact tasks requiring precision or complex decision-making, such as engineering.
The findings highlight the need for further research into the long-term effects of COVID-19 on cognitive health and underscore the importance of ongoing support and resources for individuals recovering from long COVID. As our understanding of the condition continues to evolve, it becomes increasingly clear that addressing the multifaceted impacts of COVID-19 will require a comprehensive and compassionate approach.
