Long COVID-19 could lead to small impacts on cognitive function and memory, according to researchers at the Imperial College London.
According to their findings, people with unresolved persistent symptoms following COVID-19 had an IQ score that would equate to six points lower than individuals who had never tested positive for the virus.
Meanwhile, individuals who had previously been infected with COVID-19 but had resolved symptoms, had an IQ equivalent to three points lower on a typical IQ scale. The researchers classified this difference in cognitive score as “small.”
Promisingly, the authors found that individuals with “resolved persistent symptoms” had global cognitive deficits similar to those with shorter duration symptoms.
This suggests that those with unresolved persistent symptoms may have some cognitive improvement once symptoms resolve, the authors noted.
“In this large community-based study, we found that COVID-19 was associated with longer-term objectively measurable cognitive deficits,” the authors said in the paper.
Long COVID-19 refers to people who have symptoms that last greater than 12 weeks after testing positive for the virus.
The researchers said they found fewer cognitive deficits as the pandemic progressed.
The probability of hospitalization due to COVID-19 has progressively decreased over time.
Cognitive Impacts of COVID-19
Co-author Professor Adam Hampshire from the Imperial College London Department of Brain Sciences noted the researchers were able to detect minor cognitive deficits.“By using our online platform to measure multiple aspects of cognition and memory at large scale, we were able to detect small but measurable deficits in cognitive task performance. We also found that people were likely affected in different ways depending on factors such as illness duration, virus variant, and hospitalisation.”
The authors noted the study had some limitations, including “reliance on subjective reporting to identify persons with persistent symptoms.
Vaccine Mandate Struck Down in Australia
Meanwhile, a vaccine mandate for health workers and police has been struck down in the Supreme Court of Queensland after being declared unlawful under section 58 of the Human Rights Act on Feb. 27.However, the judge did not address the vaccine’s transmissibility or efficacy in the ruling.
Individuals between 65 and 74, or those Australians who are severely immunocompromised are recommended to take a booster every 12 months.
Health Minister Mark Butler said vaccination remains the most important measure to protect against the risk of severe disease from COVID-19.
“COVID-19 vaccines are available every 6 months for older people and adults with severe immunocompromise, and an annual vaccine dose for other adults.”