COVID-19 Linked to Long-Lasting Cognitive Deficits, Study Finds

COVID-19 has been linked to long-lasting cognitive deficits
Individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 once and those who were ill for longer had lower overall cognitive scores than those who never had COVID-19.
People infected during the initial stages of the pandemic showed higher decreases in cognitive functioning compared to those infected with later variants, while greater decreases in cognitive functioning were seen among people with persistent symptoms and hospitalized individuals.
COVID-19 Linked to Long-Lasting Cognitive Deficits, Study Finds

COVID-19 has been linked to long-lasting cognitive deficits, according to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study found that individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 once and those who were ill for longer had lower overall cognitive scores than those who never had COVID-19. People infected during the initial stages of the pandemic showed higher decreases in cognitive functioning compared to those infected with later variants, while greater decreases in cognitive functioning were seen among people with persistent symptoms and hospitalized individuals.


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Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • It's not clear if these cognitive deficits are permanent or temporary.
  • The study only included a small sample size, so more research is needed to confirm these findings.

Sources

76%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

COVID-19 leaves its mark on the brain, including with significant drops in IQ scores

PsyPost Ziyad Al-Aly Tuesday, 05 March 2024 19:00
  • Unique Points
    • COVID-19 can affect brain health in many ways
    • Brain fog is a significant health condition that many experience after COVID-19
    • SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers the fusion of brain cells, short circuiting brain electrical activity and compromising function
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (80%)
    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it claims that COVID-19 leaves an indelible mark on the brain and can cause cognitive deficits such as memory problems. However, this statement is not supported by any scientific evidence presented in the article. Secondly, the author cites a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine which found significant drops in IQ scores among COVID-19 patients. However, this study does not provide enough information to determine whether these drops are caused by COVID-19 or other factors such as stress and anxiety that may have occurred during the pandemic. Thirdly, the author claims that severe cases of COVID-19 can result in cognitive deficits equivalent to 20 years of aging. However, this statement is not supported by any scientific evidence presented in the article.
    • The sentence 'COVID-19 leaves an indelible mark on the brain' is a deceptive statement as there is no scientific evidence presented in the article to support it.
  • Fallacies (75%)
    The article by Ziyad Al-Aly contains several logical fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when the author mentions their credentials and expertise in studying long COVID (Example 1). Additionally, there are dichotomous depictions of cognitive deficits as being equivalent to aging or intellectual disability (Examples 2,3). There are also informal fallacies such as exaggeration with regards to the impact on society and economy due to cognitive decline caused by COVID-19 (Example 4). However, there is no evidence presented in the article that directly supports these claims. The author does not provide any concrete numbers or statistics regarding economic productivity losses or increased societal support requirements.
    • I am a physician scientist, and I have been devoted to studying long COVID since early patient reports about this condition – even before the term “long COVID” was coined.
  • Bias (85%)
    The author Ziyad Al-Aly demonstrates bias by using language that depicts those who have different opinions as extreme or unreasonable. For example, the author refers to 'extremist far-right ideologies and wild conspiracy theories like QAnon' without providing any evidence for this claim.
    • GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has been dog-whistling to supporters of extremist far-right ideologies and wild conspiracy theories like QAnon
      • verified accounts on X and major far-right influencers on platforms like Telegram were celebrating.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
        Ziyad Al-Aly has conflicts of interest on the topics of COVID-19 and brain fog. He is a researcher at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, where he conducts laboratory experiments in human and mouse brain organoids designed to emulate changes in the human brain.
        • Ziyad Al-Aly's article discusses his own research on COVID-19 and its effects on the brain.
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
          Ziyad Al-Aly has conflicts of interest on the topics of COVID-19 and brain fog. He is a researcher at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri where he studies the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the human brain.
          • Ziyad Al-Aly is a researcher at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri where he studies the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the human brain.

          81%

          The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
          (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

          A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

          Even fully recovered survivors of mild COVID can lose IQ points, study suggests

          Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), University of Minnesota, Thursday, 07 March 2024 03:05
          • Unique Points
            • COVID-19 patients recovering from short-term symptoms experienced similar small deficits in memory, thinking, or concentrating as those who had longer-term symptoms.
            • < COVID-19 survivors whose symptoms had resolved in less than 4 weeks or at least 12 weeks had comparable small deficits in cognitive function compared with uninfected participants.
            • Mild cognitive decline was noted after infection with the wild-type virus and each variant, including B.1.1.529 (Omicron).
            • Participants who contracted COVID-19 during periods of wild-type and Alpha variant predominance exhibited larger deficits than those infected with later variants.
            • Memory, reasoning, and executive function tasks were associated with the greatest cognitive deficits in participants with unresolved persistent symptoms.
          • Accuracy
            • < Participants who contracted COVID-19 during periods of wild-type and Alpha variant predominance exhibited larger deficits than those infected with later variants.
          • Deception (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Fallacies (75%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Bias (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication

          93%

          The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
          (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

          A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

          COVID-19 linked to long-lasting cognitive deficits, study finds

          News Medical Net Tuesday, 05 March 2024 02:31
          • Unique Points
            • COVID-19 is associated with measurable cognitive deficits.
            • Individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 once and those who were ill for longer had lower overall cognitive scores than those who never had COVID-19.
            • People infected during the initial stages of the pandemic showed higher decreases in cognitive functioning compared to those infected with later variants.
            • Greater decreases in cognitive functioning were seen among people with persistent symptoms and hospitalized individuals.
            • Vaccination (particularly two or more doses) may provide small cognitive advantages, but there was no significant difference based on which vaccine was taken.
          • Accuracy
            • COVID-19 is associated with measurable cognitive deficits, which may persist in the long term.
          • Deception (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Fallacies (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Bias (85%)
            The article is biased towards the negative impact of COVID-19 on cognitive functioning. The author uses language that depicts long-lasting cognitive deficits as a significant and permanent consequence of COVID-19 infection. Additionally, the study's findings are presented in a way that emphasizes the negative effects of COVID-19 on cognition rather than any potential positive impacts or mitigating factors.
            • The first documented cases of 'brain fog,' with symptoms such as poor memory, impaired concentration, and difficulty thinking,
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication

            81%

            The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
            (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

            A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

            Blood-brain barrier leaks may be to blame for brain fog in long COVID

            Medical News Today Hannah Flynn Thursday, 07 March 2024 03:11
            • Unique Points
              • Blood-brain barrier leaks may play a role in brain fog in long COVID
              • Dysregulated blood-brain barriers and coagulation found up to 1 year after infection with SARS-CoV-2
              • COVID-19 can affect brain health in many ways
            • Accuracy
              • SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers the fusion of brain cells, short circuiting brain electrical activity and compromising function
            • Deception (75%)
              I found three examples of deceptive practices in this article. The first example is the author's use of emotional manipulation by describing brain fog as 'debilitating for some people who are affected'. This statement implies that all people with long COVID and brain fog experience it as debilitating, which may not be true. The second example is selective reporting where the author only reports on studies suggesting over a fifth of people with long COVID experience cognitive impairment but does not mention any contradictory evidence or statistics. Lastly, there is an implication that blood-brain barrier leaks are to blame for brain fog in long COVID without providing peer-reviewed studies supporting this claim.
              • blood-brain barrier leaks may play a role in brain fog
              • described colloquially as “brain fog”, this symptom — associated with a post-viral condition called “long COVID” — can be debilitating for some people who are affected,
              • some people with long COVID and brain fog have dysregulated blood-brain barriers that can leak, and dysregulated coagulation, up to 1 year after infection with SARS-CoV-2.
            • Fallacies (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Bias (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
              The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of blood-brain barrier leaks and long COVID. The article discusses how SARS-CoV-2 can cause inflammation in the brain which may lead to cognitive impairment and thromboinflammation. However, it does not disclose any financial ties or personal relationships that could compromise their ability to report objectively on this topic.
              • The article discusses how SARS-CoV-2 can cause inflammation in the brain which may lead to cognitive impairment and thromboinflammation. However, it does not disclose any financial ties or personal relationships that could compromise their ability to report objectively on this topic.

              78%

              The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
              (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

              A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

              Long covid may cause cognitive decline of about six IQ points, study finds

              The Fixing Site: A Summary of the Article. Victoria Bisset Thursday, 29 February 2024 17:49
              • Unique Points
                • COVID-19 can affect brain health in many ways
                • SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers the fusion of brain cells, short circuiting brain electrical activity and compromising function
                • Autopsy studies show SARS-CoV-2 virus was still present in brain tissue even months later from other causes
              • Accuracy
                No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
              • Deception (80%)
                The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author uses sensationalist language such as 'long covid may cause cognitive decline of about six IQ points' and 'persistent symptoms may not be permanent'. This creates a false sense of urgency and fear for readers without providing any context or evidence to support these claims. Secondly, the article misrepresents the study by stating that participants who recovered from covid symptoms had a cognitive deficit equivalent to three IQ points compared with those who were never infected when in fact they only experienced a loss of one point. This is further supported by the fact that there was no significant difference between people who had short-duration symptoms and the no-covid group, suggesting that any cognitive decline observed may have been due to other factors such as age or pre-existing conditions. Thirdly, the article uses selective reporting by focusing on only one aspect of the study (cognitive deficits) while ignoring other important findings such as a greater effect among people who were infected earlier in the pandemic and those admitted to intensive care units. This creates a distorted view of the study's results and misleads readers into believing that cognitive decline is the only concern for long covid sufferers.
                • The author states that participants who recovered from covid symptoms had a cognitive deficit equivalent to three IQ points compared with those who were never infected when in fact they only experienced a loss of one point.
                • The article uses selective reporting by focusing on only one aspect of the study (cognitive deficits) while ignoring other important findings such as a greater effect among people who were infected earlier in the pandemic and those admitted to intensive care units.
                • The article uses sensationalist language such as 'long covid may cause cognitive decline of about six IQ points'
              • Fallacies (85%)
                The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine as evidence for their claims. However, this does not necessarily mean that the study is reliable or unbiased. Additionally, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric when they describe long covid symptoms as
                • The article contains several examples of informal fallacies.
                • The author uses an appeal to authority by citing a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine as evidence for their claims.
              • Bias (85%)
                The article discusses a study that found cognitive deficits in people who have recovered from covid-19. The study found that participants who had short-duration symptoms experienced a loss equivalent to three IQ points compared with those who were never infected, while participants suffering from unresolved covid symptoms lasting 12 weeks or more experienced a loss equivalent to six IQ points. However, the greater cognitive decline associated with persistent symptoms may not be permanent as participants in this category who had recovered by the time they took part in the study were found to have cognitive deficits comparable to those who recovered quickly.
                • The study found that participants who had short-duration symptoms experienced a loss equivalent to three IQ points compared with those who were never infected, while participants suffering from unresolved covid symptoms lasting 12 weeks or more experienced a loss equivalent to six IQ points.
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication