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Brain fog and memory loss: Severe Covid can cause IQ drop by 10 points

Brain fog and memory loss: Severe Covid can cause IQ drop by 10 points

A severe case of COVID-19 infection could cause cognitive impairment equivalent to 20 years of aging, according to a new study.

Long-reported symptoms of COVID include fatigue, "brain fog", trouble remembering words, sleep disturbances, anxiety.

Between one-third and three-quarters of hospitalized patients report that they still suffer from cognitive symptoms three to six months after acute illness, and this can occur even in mild cases.

Loss of 10 IQ points
Findings from the team of scientists at Cambridge University and Imperial College London in the UK suggest that the effects of the infection are still noticeable more than six months after the acute illness.

The researchers analyzed data from 46 people who were hospitalized with COVID-19 in the ward or intensive care unit at Addenbrooke Hospital in Cambridge, between March and July 2020.

Sixteen of these patients were put on mechanical ventilation during their hospital stay.

They underwent computerized cognitive tests an average of six months after their acute illness, measuring aspects such as memory, attention, and reasoning.

Comparing their results with a control group, the team found that patients were less accurate and slower in response, with stronger effects for those on mechanical ventilation.

They estimate that cognitive loss is similar to that experienced between the ages of 50 and 70, or the loss of 10 IQ points.

Tiranapost.al