MANY people who have had Covid-19 will be familiar with the ‘brain fog’ that lingers in the weeks or months after getting sick.
But a new study has revealed that even a mild dose of the virus could have even longer-lasting effects on the brain, potentially increasing the risk of Alzheimer’s.
London scientists analysed the health records of 1,200 people.
They found that those who had tested positive for Covid-19 had more biomarkers linked to the brain-wasting disease than those who hadn’t
“While these results do not establish causality, they suggest that SARS-CoV-2 (and possibly other systemic inflammatory diseases) may increase the risk of future Alzheimer’s disease,” the experts wrote in the paper, published in Nature.
Around 900,000 people live with dementia in Britain, and experts predict the numbers will exceed one million by the end of the decade.
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of the condition, and is thought to be caused by build-ups of proteins in the brain, including tau and amyloid.
Previous studies have suggested that viral infections, like flu and herpes and even a severe case of Covid, may increase the risk of dementia.
In the latest study, experts from University College London wanted to see if a mild bout of Covid had a similar impact on the brain as other viral infections.
To do this, they examined UK Biobank data, comparing the blood, brain scans, and cognitive function of 626 people who had Covid with 626 who hadn’t
They discovered that people who had Covid had lower levels of a key protein ratio related to beta-amyloid buildup in their blood, which is commonly seen in Alzheimer’s.
The same group also had higher levels of proteins connected to brain damage and inflammation.
These changes in brain markers were similar to the effects of four years of ageing, a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
This suggests that Covid-19 could speed up brain changes linked to the degenerative condition.
Older individuals and those with health conditions like high blood pressure or obesity had more pronounced changes.
Even people with mild or no symptoms from Covid-19 showed these brain changes.
Cognitive tests and brain scans revealed similar results,
They showed that Covid-19 patients had worse brain function, similar to ageing, and some scans showed patterns seen in Alzheimer’s.
In a separate study, published in 2023, researchers in the US connected Covid-19 to issues like brain fog, headaches and lapses in concentration.
They said the impact of these symptoms is driving neurodegeneration, which contributes to the development of Alzheimer’s.
Slash your risk of Alzheimer’s disease
MAYBE you’ve promised yourself you’ll hit the gym five days a week this year – and you’ve already skipped several sessions.
Or perhaps your goal is to stop snacking on biscuits but you’ve polished off two packets of Bourbons in the last few days alone.
Well, if you want to look after your body, particularly your brain, in 2025 then it’s time to forget about those unrealistic New Year’s resolutions.
That’s according to cognitive rehabilitation therapist Natalie Mackenzie, from the Brain Injury Therapist.
Instead, you should focus on smaller, achievable goals that will help keep your noggin healthy.
In turn, you’ll help stave off memory problems and lower your risk of Alzheimer’s disease – the most common type of dementia.
Here, brain experts reveal some of the things you can do this January to stay sharp.
1. Get moving
2. Be a social butterfly
3. Take a nap
4. Unplug
To read the full story – including a full list of dementia-slashing methods and some very the helpful tips – click here
