Problems with memory, spatial perception and information processing were identified as possible consequences of the virus in patients who underwent coronavirus, who were followed for eight weeks. In addition, Italian doctors concluded that one in five patients reported post-traumatic stress disorder (16% of patients had symptoms of depression).
This study, conducted in Italy, included neurocognitive tests and an MRI of the brain in a group of patients two months after the onset of covid-19 symptoms. More than 50% had cognitive impairments; 16% – problems with executive function (problems with memory at work, flexible thinking and information processing); 6% visual-spatial problems (difficulty perceiving the depth of things and color contrast); 6% have memory problems and 25% have a combination of all these symptoms.
A professor at the Scientific Institute and University of Vita Salute San Rafaele in Milan and the main author of the study explained at the 7th Congress of the European Academy of Neurology, which took place this weekend, that the study has confirmed that some significant cognitive and behavioral problems are associated with covid-19 and persist for several months after remission of the disease. “One particularly disturbing finding relates to changes in executive function that can block concentration, planning, flexible thinking and memory. These symptoms affect three out of four younger patients (of working age), ”he explained. In turn, co-author of the presented work and researcher from the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, Eliza Kanu, added that in these cases, research and long-term follow-up are necessary: “Correct follow-up and treatment is critical. so that these previously hospitalized patients receive adequate support to alleviate these symptoms, ”he explained. The researchers concluded that 90% of patients had post-Covid-19 symptoms, and that neurological symptoms account for a significant proportion: 77.4% of 53 patients reported developing at least one neurological symptom, while 46.3% had more than three neurological symptoms between 5. -10 months after hospitalization. The most common symptoms were insomnia (65.9%), daytime sleepiness (46.3%), and difficulty walking. Other less common symptoms included headache, hyposmia (loss of smell), and hypogeusia (loss of taste).
