Prolonged Covid may reduce brain oxygen levels, cognitive decline: Study

Study researchers from the University of Waterloo, Canada, conducted two parallel studies – a laboratory study involving cognitive testing and imaging of oxygen levels in the brain, and a national population survey of Canadians in 2021 and 2022. The researchers combined the results of the two studies. To reach different conclusions.

research findings suggest that COVID-19 Patients who were symptomatic were impaired in two computer-based tasks, one that measures inhibition and the other in impulsive decision-making.

The study states that compared to people who were not infected with Kovid, infected people had an increased decrease in oxygen saturation in the area of ​​the brain that is usually engaged during tasks. “We are the first to show brain oxygen deprivation during a cognitive task in the months following a symptomatic COVID-19 infection,” said Peter Hall, lead author and researcher at the University of Waterloo.

“This is important because lack of adequate oxygen supply is thought to be one of the mechanisms by which COVID-19 may cause cognitive impairment,” Hall said.

The other study as part of the research was a population survey of Canadians aged 18 to 56 and examined the relationship between COVID, cognitive function and psychiatric symptoms.

According to the study, people who got COVID-19 experienced increased symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as challenges with focus and inhibitions. The effect was slightly more significant among those who did not receive vaccination and persisted even after considering the duration of infection.

The research notes that prior research has demonstrated an association between COVID-19 and reduced cognitive function, self-reported cognitive symptoms, and variation in brain structure as assessed by MRI, but not changes in brain oxygenation. Is.

“We don’t know for sure why this was, but other studies have shown that older women are particularly affected by certain post-COVID-19 syndrome symptoms,” Hall said.

“It appears that, regardless of gender and other demographic factors, COVID-19 infection at baseline is correlated with increased problems with emotion regulation six months later: depression, anxiety, and agitation. In some cases, we are talking about levels that are at or above recommended cut-off scores for psychiatric diagnosis,” Hall said.

The research was conducted in the earlier stages of the pandemic, and the researchers did not investigate whether later variants, such as omicronHave comparable effects on the brain as earlier variants.

(With inputs from PTI)