University of Otago Study Alarmingly Finds That COVID-19 Damaged the Brain Cognitive Function of Infected Undergraduates

Medical News: A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Otago in New Zealand has unveiled concerning evidence that COVID-19 may have lasting effects on the brain function of young adults. The study focused on undergraduate students who had recovered from the virus, revealing subtle yet significant changes in their cognitive abilities and brain activity patterns. These findings raise important questions about the long-term neurological impacts of COVID-19, even among those who experienced mild or asymptomatic infections.


University of Otago Study Alarmingly Finds That COVID-19 Damaged the Brain Cognitive Function of Infected Undergraduates

Background: COVID-19 and Cognitive Concerns
Since its emergence in late 2019, COVID-19 has been primarily associated with respiratory symptoms. However, as the pandemic progressed, both patients and healthcare providers began reporting neurological symptoms, including headaches, loss of taste and smell, and cognitive difficulties often referred to as "brain fog." These cognitive issues encompass problems with concentration, memory lapses, and mental fatigue. While initial concerns centered on older adults and those with severe illness, growing evidence suggests that younger individuals, including university students, are not immune to these effects.
 
The Study: Assessing Cognitive Function in Students
To explore the potential cognitive impacts of COVID-19 on young adults, the research team at the University of Otago recruited 94 undergraduate students, with an average age of approximately 20 years. The majority of participants were female, reflecting the university's demographics. Participants were divided into two groups: those who had previously tested positive for COVID-19 and those who had not contracted the virus.
 
The students underwent a series of computerized cognitive tests designed to assess various mental functions, including reaction speed, attention, impulse control, task switching, working memory (the ability to hold and manipulate information temporarily), and spatial memory. Additionally, participants completed mood questionnaires to evaluate their emotional states during the testing period.
 
Innovative Brain Imaging Approach
In a novel aspect of the study, researchers employed a technique called near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to monitor brain activity during the cognitive tests. NIRS is a non-invasive method that uses infrared light to measure changes in blood flow and oxygen levels in the brain. By placing sensors on the scalp, the device can detect how different regions of the brain are activated during various tasks. In this study, sensors were positioned on the students' foreheads to focus on the prefrontal cortex, a region associated with complex cognitive behaviors such as decision-making, problem-solving, and social interactions.
 
Key Findings: Subtle Yet Significant Changes
The results of the cognitive tests revealed that, on average, students who had recovered from COVID-19 performed similarly to those who had never contracted the virus. However, a closer examination showed that 37% of the previously infected students exhibited measurable cognitive impairments. These impairments were identified when a student's performance fell significantly below the average scores of the uninfected group on at least one cognitive test.
 
This Medical News report highlights the importance of such nuanced analyses in understanding the true impact of COVID-19 on cognitive function.
 
The NIRS data provided further insights. Typically, during cognitive tasks, healthy young adults show a decrease in oxygenated hemoglobin levels in the prefrontal cortex, indicating efficient brain activity. However, students with a history of COVID-19 displayed a different pattern: they exhibited less of this typical decrease, suggesting altered brain activation. Notably, this pattern resembled brain activity changes often seen in older adults, potentially indicating premature aging effects or compensatory mechanisms.
 
The Role of "Brain Fog"
The phenomenon of "brain fog" has been a common complaint among COVID-19 survivors. In this study, students who reported experiencing brain fog after their infection showed even more pronounced alterations in brain activity patterns. This suggests a possible link between subjective cognitive symptoms and objective changes in brain function. Professor Liana Machado, the lead author of the study, noted, "I was quite surprised to find such strong hemodynamic effects, particularly in the context of the generally healthy young adult population."
 
Implications and Future Directions
While the study's findings are preliminary, they raise important considerations for public health and education sectors. The fact that a significant proportion of young adults may experience lasting cognitive changes after COVID-19 infection underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and support. Educational institutions might need to provide additional resources to assist students facing cognitive challenges post-infection.
 
The researchers acknowledge several limitations in their study. The sample was predominantly female and drawn from a single university, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, the study relied on self-reported COVID-19 infection histories, which could introduce reporting biases. Future research should aim to include more diverse populations and utilize objective measures of past infection, such as antibody testing.
 
Professor Machado emphasized the need for further investigation, stating, "This year we plan to run a study to determine whether the pattern of results replicates in another sample of university students, and hopefully gain more insight about factors that might be important in determining the extent to which people are affected." She also expressed interest in studying older adults, who may be more vulnerable to the neurological impacts of COVID-19.
 
Conclusion
The University of Otago study provides compelling evidence that COVID-19 can have lasting effects on brain function in young adults, even among those who experienced mild illness. The discovery of altered brain activity patterns and cognitive impairments in a significant subset of previously infected students highlights the importance of continued research in this area. As the pandemic evolves, understanding the full spectrum of COVID-19's long-term effects will be crucial in developing effective interventions and support systems for those affected.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889159124007311
 
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
 
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/neuropsychological-and-cognitive-impairments-in-long-covid-and-pots
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/long-term-cognitive-and-autonomic-effects-of-covid-19-in-young-adults
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-increases-disruptions-in-neurovascular-coupling,-inducing-endothelial-dysfunction-among-mild-cognitive-cases
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/long-covid