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Cognitive Deficits

All articles tagged with #cognitive deficits

health1 year ago

Study Reveals Long COVID's Impact on IQ and Cognitive Decline

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that long COVID may lead to a reduction in IQ by up to six points, with those experiencing symptoms for around 12 weeks showing the largest decline. The research, conducted by experts at Imperial College London, revealed that cognitive deficits associated with COVID-19, commonly referred to as brain fog, can be objectively measured and may affect memory, reasoning, and executive function. The study also suggests that earlier cases of the virus or its alpha variant were associated with more significant cognitive decline, while vaccination may provide some cognitive advantage. Experts warn that even small cognitive deficits can have a substantial impact on individuals' ability to work and function, making the long-term effects of COVID-19 particularly worrisome.

health1 year ago

"Long Covid Linked to Persistent Cognitive Impairment, New Study Reveals"

A study suggests that people with long Covid may experience measurable memory and cognitive deficits, equivalent to a difference of about six IQ points, lasting a year or more after infection. The research, which assessed over 140,000 individuals, found that those with persistent symptoms for more than 12 weeks had more significant deficits in memory, reasoning, and executive function. While those with resolved longer-lasting symptoms showed improvement in cognitive functions, individuals who had been hospitalized for Covid-19 exhibited the most noticeable deficits. The study highlights the quantifiable impact of "brain fog" and the potential long-term cognitive effects of Covid-19.

health1 year ago

"Gut Microbiota Experiments Reveal Surprising Findings on Alzheimer's Transmissibility"

A study in Italy found that symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can be transferred to young rats via the gut microbiota of Alzheimer’s patients, inducing cognitive deficits. The study involved transplanting gut microbiota from Alzheimer’s patients into healthy rats, which resulted in impaired recognition and memory-reliant tasks. The research also revealed a direct negative impact of serum from Alzheimer’s patients on neurogenesis in vitro. This study sheds light on the role of gut microbiota in Alzheimer’s disease, providing valuable insights into potential therapeutic interventions.

health1 year ago

"Unveiling the Link Between Long COVID and Brain Injury: New Findings"

New evidence from a study suggests that long COVID may result in a viral-borne brain injury, causing cognitive deficits and mental health issues that persist for years. The study found that patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 showed evidence of long-term brain injury a year after contracting the virus, with cognitive deficits equivalent to 20 years of brain aging. These findings provide concrete evidence of the virus's impact on the brain, raising concerns about potential long-term repercussions, including the early onset of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Researchers emphasize the need for a better understanding of the mechanisms involved and the development of effective treatments to address these long-term brain injuries.

health2 years ago

The Impact of Wood Smoke on Neuroinflammation and Neurometabolism

Short-term exposure to wood smoke can lead to persistent neuroinflammatory responses, changes in immune cell activity, and alterations in brain metabolites, according to a study conducted on mice. The research suggests that these effects could contribute to cognitive deficits, attention problems, and mood alterations. Wood smoke, a common component of air pollution in regions affected by wildfires, has long been associated with adverse health effects in humans. However, caution must be exercised when translating these findings to human health, as mice may not perfectly replicate human responses to wood smoke. Further research is needed to understand the links between wood smoke exposure and neurological diseases.

health2 years ago

Unveiling the Hidden Impact of Long COVID: New Findings and Treatment Breakthroughs

Researchers from the University of New South Wales and St. Vincent's Hospital have discovered a key biological pathway, known as the kynurenine pathway, that is activated in people with long COVID and is linked to the cognitive challenges commonly referred to as "brain fog." The study found that patients with prolonged activation of this pathway were more likely to have mild cognitive deficits even 12 months after developing COVID-19. The identification of this pathway could lead to potential treatments for brain fog and provide a diagnostic marker for long COVID. The findings highlight the biological basis behind long COVID's cognitive effects and offer hope for those experiencing long-term symptoms.

health2 years ago

Unraveling the Link Between Long COVID and Brain Fog

Researchers from UNSW Sydney and St. Vincent’s Hospital have identified a key metabolic pathway, known as the kynurenine pathway, that is activated in people with long COVID experiencing symptoms of brain fog. The study found that individuals with prolonged activation of this pathway were more likely to have mild cognitive deficits even 12 months after developing COVID-19, and these symptoms were less likely to improve over time. The discovery of this biological mechanism opens up possibilities for identifying and treating cognitive effects in long COVID patients, and the kynurenine pathway could serve as a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target. Further research is needed to explore potential biomarkers and therapies for long COVID.

health2 years ago

Understanding the Prevalence and Impact of Long COVID Symptoms in the U.S.

Patients who experience cognitive deficits or "brain fog" within the first 4 weeks of COVID-19 infection are more likely to develop long COVID, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. The study followed 766 COVID-19 patients and found that those who reported cognitive deficits were twice as likely to have long COVID symptoms at 60 and 90 days compared to those without cognitive deficits. Common neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with long COVID include memory problems, difficulty concentrating, trouble focusing, and PTSD. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms of long COVID.

neuroscience2 years ago

Revolutionizing Psychiatric Treatment: Neurodevelopmental Interventions for Youth

Researchers at the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience at the University of Rochester have found that targeting underperforming dopamine neurons in mice during adolescence could offer a way to change the progression of neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and autism. Stimulating these neurons led to long-lasting changes and rectified structural brain deficiencies. The findings suggest that interventions during developmental windows could alter the course of these disorders.