Case studies have revealed neurological problems in severely affected COVID-19 patients. However, there is little information regarding the nature and broader prevalence of cognitive problems post-infection or across the full spread of severity. One study analyzed cognitive test data from Great British Intelligence Test participants who completed a questionnaire regarding suspected and biologically confirmed COVID-19 infection. People who had recovered, including those no longer reporting symptoms, exhibited significant cognitive deficits when controlling for age, gender, education level, income, racial-ethnic groups, and pre-existing medical disorders. 

There is evidence that COVID-19 may cause long-term health changes past acute symptoms, termed “long COVID.” The results of these studies should act as a call for more detailed research investigating the basis of cognitive deficits in people who have survived SARS-CoV-2 infection.  

I say, bring it on! We have met every challenge head-on this year; there isn’t anything that should scare us, right? We are staying the course and support all the research out there because we as humans fear the unknown. If indeed there are long-term cognitive deficits related to COVID-19 infection I would rather know now and let the researchers figure out how we can address it!

Stay strong, stay the course, stay well, mask up, and stay tuned!