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    HomeHealthResearchers Reveal that Brain Functions Can Be Affected YEARS After COVID Infection

    Researchers Reveal that Brain Functions Can Be Affected YEARS After COVID Infection

    In a compelling revelation, the enduring grip of Long COVID Infection has once again come to the forefront. A recent study has unearthed that specific symptoms of this condition, including cognitive fog, persist within individuals even two years after their initial infection.

    Covid Infection will affect you in the long term

    Conducted jointly by esteemed teams from King’s College London and Imperial College London in the UK, the research delved into the cognitive test performance of a staggering 3,335 individuals who had fallen prey to SARS-CoV-2 at some point during the pandemic’s course. These comprehensive tests encompassed an array of cognitive functions: memory, attention, reasoning, processing speed, and motor control.

    The findings were telling – those grappling the most with these cognitive evaluations were also the ones who reported enduring COVID-19 symptoms lasting over a span of 12 weeks or more. The profound impact on cognitive abilities, akin to an average advancement of 10 years in age, sparked concern among the scientific community.

    The study unfolded in two stages, each separated by nine months, with the second round transpiring nearly two years following the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Despite the passage of time, the data exposed no enhancement in scores for individuals grappling with the persistence of Long COVID symptoms.

    Nathan Cheetham, a data scientist from King’s College London, who was instrumental in this study, elucidated, “Our findings suggest that, for people who were living with long-term symptoms after having COVID-19, the effects of the coronavirus on mental processes such as the ability to recall words and shapes are still detectable at an average of almost two years since their initial infection.”

    However, a ray of optimism pierces through this shadow of gloom. The study uncovered that participants who proclaimed complete recovery from the virus exhibited test scores on par with those who had never encountered COVID-19. This reaffirms the potential for recuperation, even in the face of enduring symptoms spanning several months.

    This study further bolsters the expanding repository of knowledge about Long COVID. Scientists have unveiled that the condition not only triggers discernible transformations in the body’s immune system but also exerts an influence on the brain akin to the effects of chronic fatigue.

    Remarkably, according to the World Health Organization, the tally of individuals grappling with the lingering aftermath of Long COVID now scales into the tens of millions. The repercussions are far-reaching, impacting virtually every facet of daily life and professional commitments, and yet, a definitive remedy remains elusive.

    The scientists steering this groundbreaking study are unequivocal in their call for more comprehensive research into the mechanisms underpinning Long COVID. Simultaneously, they are urging for heightened support for those who remain ensnared by its grasp, confronting symptoms that persist unabated for months or, in some instances, years after contracting the virus.

    Claire Steves, a clinical aging and health researcher at King’s College London, underscores the gravity of the situation, asserting, “The fact remains that two years on from their first infection, some people don’t feel fully recovered, and their lives continue to be impacted by the long-term effects of the coronavirus. We need more work to understand why this is the case and what can be done to help.”

    In this uncharted territory, the battle against Long COVID wages on, with researchers and medical experts alike marshaling their collective efforts to unravel its enigma and pave the path toward healing and recovery.

    The original study contains more details about this problem. It is called “The effects of COVID-19 on cognitive performance in a community-based cohort: a COVID symptom study biobank prospective cohort study” and published in the eClinicalMedicine Journal. You can read it here. For more articles like this, all you have to do is to take a look at our website and to enjoy practical and useful information.

    Gabriela Luigia
    Gabriela Luigiahttps://gherf.com/author/gabriela-luigia-sterie/
    Gabriela Luigia Sterie is Editor in Chief at Gherf. She's a researcher and her focus areas encompass digital marketing, social media, fake news, branding, consumer behavior and user behavior. Her research has been published in emerging journals. Moreover, she obtained a scientific research grant in the fake news sharing studying area. Her passion for research developed from her passion for writing. She is a copywriter and content writer with over 5 years of experience.
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