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COVID-19 is associated with persistent cognitive deficits, including the acceleration of Alzheimer's disease symptoms, researchers have found.

In addition to the respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms that accompany COVID-19, many people with the virus experience short- and long-term neuropsychiatric symptoms, including loss of smell and taste, and cognitive and attention deficits, known as "brain fog."

Initial findings from Greece and Argentina by an international, multidisciplinary consortium suggest that older adults frequently suffer cognitive impairment, including persistent lack of smell, after recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The consortium includes scientific leaders, including the Alzheimer's Association and representatives from nearly 40 countries -- with technical guidance from WHO -- to evaluate the long-term consequences of COVID-19 on the central nervous system.

The findings were presented at The Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2021, held between July 26-30 in Denver, US.

Other key findings by the consortium suggest that biological markers of brain injury, neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's correlate strongly with the presence of neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients.

Individuals experiencing cognitive decline post-COVID-19 infection were more likely to have low blood oxygen following brief physical exertion as well as poor overall physical condition, the researchers said.

"These new data point to disturbing trends showing COVID-19 infections leading to lasting cognitive impairment and even Alzheimer's symptoms," said Heather M Snyder, Alzheimer's Association vice president of medical and scientific relations.

Gabriel de Erausquin of the University of Texas Health Science Center along with colleagues from the Alzheimer's Association-led global SARS-CoV-2 consortium, studied cognition and olfactory senses in a cohort of nearly 300 older adults from Argentina who had COVID-19.

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COVID-19 linked with long-term cognitive impairment, researchers say - National Herald