Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Covid Can Have Neurological Impact Lasting Years: Study
Patients recovering from coronavirus infection suffer from increased rates of neurological and psychological problems, according to a wide-ranging observational study published Thursday. Researchers from Oxford University combed through more than a million patient files and discovered that, two years after infection, patients who had recovered from COVID-19 were at a higher risk of psychosis, dementia and "brain fog"聽when compared with patients who recovered from other respiratory diseases. (Martuscelli, 8/18)
Covid-19 survivors remain at higher risk of psychotic disorders, dementia and similar conditions for at least two years, according to a large study that highlights the mounting burden of chronic illness left in the pandemic鈥檚 wake. (Gale, 8/17)
On variants, the risk of neuropsychiatric diagnoses rose, from 10% higher for anxiety to 38% for brain fog 鈥 after the Delta variant emerged than after the alpha version. Similar risks continued with Omicron, even though that variant has milder effects during the acute phase of infection. (Cooney, 8/17)
There's hope for those suffering from brain fog 鈥
If you鈥檝e had COVID-19 and still aren鈥檛 feeling as mentally sharp or on task as before, there鈥檚 good news. UAB researcher Dr. Gitendra Uswatte, Ph.D. and his colleagues report promising results in an ongoing trial to help those who are living with long COVID brain fog. 鈥淎fter treatment, the patients report a substantial decrease in the brain fog and that they are able to perform everyday activities, more effectively,鈥 Uswatte explained. (Horton, 8/16)
Also 鈥
An ambitious study of people with Long Covid, the mysterious, disabling symptoms that can trail a SARS-CoV-2 infection, has turned up a host of abnormalities in their blood. The clues add to a body of evidence hinting at drivers of the condition and potential treatments worth testing. They also suggest that, as many scientists and patients have suspected, Long Covid shares certain features with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), another condition thought to follow an infection. (Couzin-Frankel, 8/16)
