SINGAPORE: In a startling revelation, a leading infectious disease expert from Singapore has voiced serious concerns about recent findings suggesting that COVID-19 may induce long-lasting cognitive impairments, including a drop in IQ, particularly among high-risk populations.

During an interview with 8World News, the expert highlighted the potential dangers of reinfection, noting that it could worsen cognitive declines experienced by recovered patients. This serious warning underscores the necessity for high-risk individuals to receive updated COVID-19 vaccines, which are essential in mitigating the cognitive impacts associated with the virus.

Groundbreaking Studies and Findings

This commentary comes on the heels of multiple studies from the UK, which have documented significant cognitive declines in COVID-19 survivors. One groundbreaking study revealed an average decrease of around three IQ points after recovery, with patients who had undergone intensive care displaying an alarming nine-point drop in cognitive performance.

Further investigations conducted over a span of two to three years post-infection have unveiled troubling results: cognitive declines may reach up to ten IQ points for certain individuals. A notable study published earlier this year by Imperial College London in the New England Journal of Medicine indicated that, on average, COVID-19 survivors experienced mild cognitive impairments comparable to a three-point IQ reduction. Disturbingly, these impairments may last for a year or more when compared to individuals who have never contracted the virus.

Impact of Lingering Symptoms

Moreover, those still suffering from unresolved COVID-19 symptoms exhibited a more pronounced decline, equivalent to a six-point reduction in IQ, while patients needing intensive care displayed an even greater loss, at nine points. Researchers have identified significant cognitive issues in patients with lingering symptoms, notably affecting their memory, reasoning, and executive functioning.

Variants and Cognitive Deficits

Interestingly, the study uncovered a trend where patients infected with the B.1.1.7 strain from the early pandemic days faced more extensive cognitive deficits compared to those who contracted the virus during later waves, such as the Omicron variant. This suggests a potentially weakening link between COVID-19 infections and cognitive decline as the pandemic progressed.

Recent Collaborations and Further Research

Additionally, a recent study published in The Lancet in September by collaborative teams from the University of Oxford and the University of Leicester corroborated these findings, revealing an average IQ decrease of ten points in individuals two to three years following their recovery.

Vaccination and Cognitive Health

Significantly, data indicated that vaccinated individuals who received two or more COVID-19 vaccine doses performed better cognitively than their unvaccinated peers, highlighting the potential protective benefits of vaccination.

Response from Health Authorities

In response to the emergence of the new JN.1 COVID-19 variant, Singapore’s Ministry of Health has rolled out updated vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna/Spikevax. The ministry strongly encourages individuals aged 60 and above, vulnerable groups aged six months and older, and nursing home residents to get vaccinated with these updated formulations.

Health authorities are also urging medical professionals and those working closely with high-risk patients to prioritize booster shots, with eligibility commencing five months after their last vaccination.

Conclusion

As research into the long-term effects of COVID-19 continues to unfold, this growing evidence serves as a call to action for individuals, particularly those at risk, to stay informed and prioritize their health through vaccination. The lingering effects of COVID-19 may be more than just a health crisis; they could redefine the way we approach cognitive health in a post-pandemic world.