COVID-19 could accelerate Alzheimer’s-like symptoms: study

A new study suggests COVID-19 is producing cognitive issues similar to those seen with Alzheimer’s patients, CNN reports.

The study, led by Gabriel de Erausquin, a professor of neurology at the University of Texas Health Science Center, found that some patients who contracted the coronavirus had similar memory issues and biological markers to those struggling with Alzheimer’s months after contracting the virus.

Erausquin reported the findings Thursday at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, and noted that the long-term effects of the coronavirus and its associated effects are unknown.

Of the more than 200 people studied — Argentinian adults aged 60 and older who tested positive for the coronavirus — more than half exhibited memory issues between three and six months after coming down with the disease. About a quarter also reported other cognitive challenges associated with Alzheimer’s, including issues carrying out tasks and trouble remembering words and phrases.

The Alzheimer’s-like symptoms are not the same as the lingering “brain fog” phenomenon frequently described by younger people who were infected, CNN notes.