Coronavirus: Senior COVID survivors 80% more likely to develop Alzheimer’s, finds study

A new research has found that people who are about 65 years old and above, are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s after contracting Coronavirus.

The study analysed health records of 6.2 million seniors and found that elderly individuals infected by Coronavirus were 50% to 80% more susceptible to the debilitating form of dementia within the year following their COVID diagnosis.

The findings show that prior infections, especially viral infections and inflammation, are important factors to be considered in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

The research team analyzed anonymous health records of 6.2 million American senior citizens who had medical treatment between February 2020 and May 2021. They had no prior Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

The groups were then split into those who had and had not contracted COVID. 5.8 million of them were in the non-infected group and over 400,000 had been infected by COVID.

The researchers also noted that the highest risk was found in women aged 85 and older. The findings of the study were published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is a serious and challenging disease. Researchers note that they have been trying to reduce the general risk factors already associated with the disease, such as “hypertension, heart disease, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.”

Now since COVID is linked to a spike in Alzheimer’s development, it has become a cause of concern for health care professionals as many seniors around the globe have had COVID and even long COVID symptoms.

“It is important to continue to monitor the impact of this disease on future disability,” Pamela Davis, the study’s co-author, said.

However, the researchers have not yet determined if COVID can directly trigger the development of Alzheimer’s.

As the disease progresses, it can lead to a wide variety of symptoms, which can create problems with the day to day activities of the person suffering from the condition. Memory loss is associated with Alzheimer's disease and it usually worsens with time. One also has difficulty in concentrating, thinking and reasoning. It can become difficult to make everyday decisions due to a decline in one’s judgment skills. Behaviour and mood can also be severely affected, leading to problems like depression, social withdrawal, mood swings, irritability, aggressiveness and delusions.

It is important to consult a doctor if you think you have not completely recovered after a COVID infection and are experiencing either long COVID symptoms or any of the above mentioned signs of Alzheimer's disease.

If you observe that a senior member in your house, such as your parent, is having problems with their memory or thinking skills, talk to them and ask them about going together to a doctor's appointment.

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Since elderly can be more vulnerable to developing a severe COVID infection or other post-COVID complications, it is essential for them to take all the necessary measures to prevent getting infected in the first place. Older adults should get vaccinated and boosted as soon as possible. They should also be following preventive measures such as wearing a mask when outside, practicing physical distancing, avoiding crowded public places and washing and sanitizing hands regularly.