A new large-scale study from England has found evidence that COVID-19 infection is associated with measurable declines in intelligence quotient (IQ), memory, and reasoning ability.

Img Credit: – BBC

Key Study Findings

The study involved over 100,000 participants completing online cognitive tests. The key findings were:

  • Individuals with persistent long COVID symptoms scored 6 IQ points lower on average than those never infected
  • Those who recovered from short-term COVID scored 3 IQ points lower
  • The lowest IQ declines were in those infected early in the pandemic before vaccines
  • Vaccinated individuals performed better than unvaccinated
  • People who eventually recovered from long COVID saw their cognitive function improve

Study Limitations

While concerning, the study had some limitations to consider:

  • A 6 IQ point drop may not significantly impact daily functioning
  • Findings relied on self-reported COVID experiences
  • The online test format may not have captured all cognitive difficulties
  • Study population skewed white and affluent

The Need for More Research

Overall, the study sheds light on potential cognitive impacts of long COVID. But more research is still needed on:

  • Underlying biological mechanisms
  • Long-term implications
  • Effective treatment strategies

The findings underscore the importance of getting vaccinated and preventing infection. Ongoing research will be key to better understanding long COVID’s effects on cognitive health.