London, UK: Researchers from King’s College London and Imperial College London in the UK have found that certain symptoms, such as brain fogginess, can still be experienced in people with long COVID, two years after the original infection.
The team tested the cognitive performance of 3,335 people infected by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at some point during the pandemic. The tests measured different capabilities, including memory, attention, reasoning, processing speed, and motor control.
The impact on cognitive ability was comparable to a 10-year increase in age, on average, as per the statement.
Researchers conducted two rounds of tests with a nine-month gap between them. The second round of tests took place almost two years after the individuals had been infected with SARS-CoV-2. The data revealed that there was no improvement in scores for those who were experiencing long COVID.
Those who had COVID symptoms for more than 12 weeks struggled the most with the brain tests. Meanwhile, Participants who fully recovered from COVID were shown test scores comparable to those who had never had COVID.
“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,” said data scientist Mr. Nathan Cheetham from King’s College London.
This study contributes to the increasing amount of research on long COVID. Scientists have discovered that the condition can lead to noticeable alterations in the body’s immune system and affect the brain similarly to chronic fatigue.