mental sharpness. And again, the COVID-19 group showed a greater decline, on average.
The divide was most clear among the oldest adults, Douaud says. People in their 70s who’d had COVID worsened by 30%, on average. That compared with 5% among their COVID-free peers.
There was some evidence that performance decline correlated with shrinkage in a brain structure involved in thinking and other mental skills.
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Can changes to the brain resolve?
It is possible, Douaud says, that the brain changes associated with COVID-19 resolve over time.
“The best way to find out would be to scan these participants again in one or two years’ time,” she adds.
Another question is whether the results apply to people who’ve had COVID-19 in more recent times. The study participants were infected earlier in the pandemic, before the rise of the Delta, and then Omicron, variants, the researchers noted.
Plus, Hellmuth says, now there are vaccines, and recent studies suggest vaccination curbs the chances of developing long COVID. It’s not clear from this study how vaccination might influence brain changes.
If you are experiencing changes to your brain, discuss your symptoms with your doctor. He or she may suggest that you receive further cognitive testing.