SINGAPORE: Expert Concerns about COVID-19 and Cognitive Impairment

A prominent infectious disease expert in Singapore has raised serious alarms about recent findings suggesting that COVID-19 may result in long-term cognitive impairment, including a concerning drop in IQ levels, particularly among high-risk populations.

The expert, speaking to 8World, noted that reinfection could further magnify these cognitive diminutions, emphasizing the urgent need for high-risk individuals to receive updated COVID-19 vaccinations as a preventative measure against the virus's insidious effects on brain health.

Recent Studies and Findings

These remarks follow a series of alarming studies from the United Kingdom, which have documented considerable cognitive declines in patients who have recuperated from COVID-19. One significant study revealed that the average IQ of recovering patients fell by approximately three points, while those who had been in intensive care suffered an even steeper decline of nine points.

Additional research over a two to three-year follow-up period post-infection indicated that cognitive decline could affect some individuals to the tune of ten IQ points. A pivotal study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine by Imperial College London characterized these cognitive impairments as lingering reminders of the virus, with patients experiencing impairments equivalent to a reduction of three IQ points compared to uninfected individuals. Whatever the initial severity of illness, lingering symptoms showed correlations with profound cognitive issues, including memory deficits and impaired reasoning.

Impact of COVID-19 Variants

Intriguingly, the early COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 appeared to be linked to greater cognitive deficits than later strains like Omicron, implying that the relationship between the disease and cognitive decline may have weakened over time.

Vaccination's Role in Cognitive Health

Reinforcing these findings, a separate study featured in The Lancet this September, involving researchers from the University of Oxford and the University of Leicester, reported a significant average IQ reduction of ten points seen in individuals two to three years post-infection. Strikingly, vaccinated individuals who received two or more doses demonstrated superior cognitive performance in comparison to their unvaccinated peers, highlighting the potential protective benefits of vaccination.

Recommendations for High-Risk Individuals

In response to these concerning insights, Singapore's Ministry of Health recently unveiled updated Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna/Spikevax vaccines targeting the new JN.1 COVID-19 variant. The ministry strongly recommends that individuals aged 60 and above, as well as those deemed vulnerable—anyone six months and older, and residents of nursing homes—receive these updated vaccines to shield against the virus's cognitive effects.

Furthermore, health authorities urge medical professionals and those in close contact with high-risk patients to consider vaccination, with eligibility for booster doses commencing five months after previous vaccinations.

Conclusion

In a world still grappling with the ramifications of COVID-19, these revelations serve as a critical reminder of the disease's far-reaching consequences, particularly concerning our cognitive health. As more data emerges, ongoing vigilance and preventative action are crucial in safeguarding our mental faculties against this evolving threat.