What is it about?
The cognitive impairments observed in long COVID patients share striking similarities with those seen in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. Many COVID-19 survivors experience the “brain fog”, memory problems, confusion and difficulty concentrating even months after recovering from the virus. The slowing and abnormality of intrinsic brain activity in COVID-19 patients resemble those seen in early stage of dementia.
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Why is it important?
This research sheds light on the connection between the long COVID and Alzheimer’s disease suggesting that they may share underlying biological mechanisms. The potential commonality in brain disorders could pave the way for new avenues in research and treatment.
Perspectives
This project benefited greatly from interdisciplinary collaboration. We had input from experts, associated with the Alzheimer’s Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART), across six countries, including the U.S., Turkey, Ireland, Italy, Argentina and Chile.
Professor Yang JIANG
University of Kentucky
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Parallel electrophysiological abnormalities due to COVID‐19 infection and to Alzheimer's disease and related dementia, Alzheimer s & Dementia, August 2024, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1002/alz.14089.
You can read the full text:
Resources
From COVID to Cognition | Kentucky researchers find COVID-19 could lead to Alzheimer's
LOUISVILLE, Ky. TV News (WDRB) -- University of Kentucky researchers made a major breakthrough in understanding long COVID: it could lead to Alzheimer’s-like brain changes. Researchers encourage everyone to monitor their brain health and get regular check-ups. Early detection could help health care providers identify at-risk patients sooner. This could slow, or even prevent, memory loss and concentration issues.
Neurology Today: EEG Findings Suggest Some Commonality Between Long COVID and Alzheimer's Disease
Neurology Today is the journal of American Academy of neurology. More than half to three-quarters of people with mild to moderate COVID-19 are estimated to experience at least one persistent symptom months after the acute stage of infection, with many patients complaining of “brain fog,” memory problems, and trouble with attention and concentration. Now, findings of a systematic review of EEG studies in people with COVID-19 are based on four years of literature and, while not definitive, could open up avenues for further research into neurologic complications of COVID-19 infection and changes that occur in the brain during Alzheimer's disease.
UK researchers find Alzheimer’s-like brain changes in long COVID patients
Contact Hillary Smith hillary.smith@uky.edu (859) 257-5307
PBS Kentuky Edition: Long COVID Research
Kentucky Educational Television (KET) is a public television network that is a member of PBS and serves the state of Kentucky and neighboring states. KET is the largest PBS state network in the United States. 2024 Season 3 Episode 79.
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