The effects of Long Covid could cause problems with short-term memory, a new study has revealed.
Researchers at the Hull York Medical School found that people suffering from Long Covid may find themselves facing issues with their memory after carrying out a study with 5,400 people.
While there is not much research yet done on the connection between Long Covid and memory, the data revealed that people over 25 showed a decline in their memory function, the Mirror reports.
Other symptoms of Long Covid include anxiety and severe fatigue.
While memory function can improve over time, sufferers may continue to experience issues throughout their lives.
The team created an anonymous online survey which included a memory quiz to research the correlation between short-term memory function and coronavirus.
The participants took part between December 2020 and July 2021. Around 31 percent of respondents had one Covid infection during that time and 68.6 percent of respondents never had Covid.
Scientists said it was clear from the analysis that there were factors that significantly affected the reduction in memory scores in all Covid-19 groups - including those that were self-reported, positive-tested and hospitalised - compared to those who had not been infected.
The factors that most affected memory were found to be Covid-19 status, age, time post-Covid and whether individuals were experiencing ongoing symptoms.
The scores gradually increased during the 17 months after a person had Covid, but those with ongoing symptoms continued to show a reduction in memory scores. The study was conducted during a time when the Alpha and Delta variants were most prevalent.
Speaking about the research, Dr Heidi Baseler, senior lecturer in imaging sciences at Hull York Medical School, University of York, who was first author on the study, said: "Although it is well known that Covid-19 affects the respiratory system, it is perhaps less well known that it can also have neurological consequences and affect cognitive function, such as memory."
"We wanted to develop a survey which would engage as wide an audience as possible, to allow us to rapidly assess the impact of Covid-19 specifically on working memory function," said the co-author on the study, Dr Aziz Asghar, a senior lecturer in neuroscience at Hull York Medical School, University of Hull.
And Dr Baseler went on to add: "What the study demonstrates is that Covid-19 negatively impacts working memory or short-term memory function, but only in adults aged 25 years and over.
"While the survey suggests that memory function with Covid-19 can recover over time, our findings indicate that those with ongoing symptoms may continue to experience difficulty with short-term memory."
What is brain fog and how is it linked to coronavirus?
Brain fog is used to describe a range of symptoms including:
- poor concentration
- feeling confused
- thinking more slowly than usual
- fuzzy thoughts
- forgetfulness
- lost words
- mental fatigue
While recovering from coronavirus, some people experience brain fog, and it is a common part of Long Covid. However, symptoms may vary and change over time, and can feel similar to the effects of sleep deprivation or stress.
People have been advised to get enough sleep, stay hydrated and take regular work breaks in order to manage their symptoms, and always consult a doctor if they have any concerns.
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