Well, you’re not alone. Many people are experiencing what’s known as Post-COVID Cognitive Dysfunction (PCCD), where the brain struggles to regain its full sharpness. Cognitive symptoms in post-COVID-19 conditions may arise from various factors like lingering viral particles in the brain, inflammation, disrupted brain cell activity, and gut dysbiosis that affect serotonin levels.
These combined effects can lead to the cognitive challenges that many people face after recovering from COVID-19. From forgetfulness to difficulty focusing, this condition is affecting lives long after the virus has left the body.
Here, we’ll explore what PCCD is, why it happens, and most importantly, what you can do to clear the fog and reclaim your mental clarity.
Long COVID, also known as post-COVID-19 condition, refers to ongoing symptoms that persist after recovering from COVID-19. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines it as symptoms appearing three months post-infection, lasting at least two months, and not explained by other conditions.
Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, and cognitive dysfunction, which can heavily impact daily life. While issues like fatigue and shortness of breath are often discussed, the impact on cognitive function—often called “brain fog”—is less recognized.
In this blog, we’ll dive into the studies and statistics on post-COVID cognitive dysfunction both globally and in Malaysia.
The study titled “Cognitive Symptoms of Post–COVID-19 Condition and Daily Functioning,” was published in JAMA Network Open.
The study enrolled 14,767 persons from all 50 U.S. states, where 11.4% reported having post-COVID condition, at least 2 months after their last positive infection test.
Surprisingly, they uncovered that 56.7% of people with post-COVID-19 condition experience at least 1 cognitive symptom like trouble concentrating, slowed thinking, challenges with decision-making and multitasking.
This is significantly higher than those who recovered without lingering COVID symptoms, where only 27% reported having cognitive issues. These cognitive challenges can disrupt daily life, making it tough to manage everyday tasks and stay productive at work.
What’s more, the study found that younger individuals and those with lower incomes were more likely to experience cognitive symptoms, highlighting the broader impact of post-COVID-19 condition on these vulnerable groups.
The study also observed a significant association between cognitive symptoms and depression in individuals with post-COVID-19 condition.
Closer to home, a Malaysian study conducted after the Omicron wave sheds light on post-COVID-19 condition (PCCD) within the country. Out of 44,386 participants, 3.4% reported symptoms consistent with PCCD three months after infection—a lower rate likely due to the nature of the Omicron variant and high vaccination coverage.
Cognitive symptoms were common, with 37.4% of those diagnosed with PCCD reporting forgetfulness and 27.8% struggling with focus. The study also pointed out that women, middle-aged adults, and people with pre-existing health conditions were more prone to developing PCCD, with significant impacts on their daily lives and mental well-being.
Both studies highlight a clear pattern: middle-aged adults, women, and individuals with pre-existing conditions are at higher risk for developing PCCD and experiencing cognitive issues.
The severity of the initial COVID-19 infection is a key factor, with those who were hospitalized being more likely to have lingering cognitive symptoms.
While vaccination seems to help reduce the risk of severe post-COVID symptoms, these findings emphasize the importance of continued support and targeted interventions to help those most affected by the cognitive impacts of COVID-19.
To tackle post-COVID-19 cognitive issues, it’s important to combine medical care with simple lifestyle changes. Start by getting a medical check-up to address any concerns early on. Incorporate some cognitive exercises into your routine, stay active with regular physical activity, eat a balanced diet, and ensure you’re getting enough sleep—all of these can help with recovery.
Supporting your mental health is also key, as anxiety and depression often accompany cognitive symptoms. Adding on supplements to further boost antioxidants can further support brain health and help clear the mental fog. Tocotrienols is one such supplement, known also for its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.
By taking these steps, you’ll gradually start to feel more like yourself again, and we’re here to support you along the way!
References:
- Al-Aly, Z., & Rosen, C. J. (2024). Long Covid and impaired cognition—More evidence and more work to do. The New England Journal of Medicine, 390(9), 858-860. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2400189
- World Health Organization. (2021). A clinical case definition of post COVID-19 condition by a Delphi consensus, 6 October 2021. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-Post_COVID-19_condition-Clinical_case_definition-2021.1
- Jaywant, A., Gunning, F. M., Oberlin, L. E., & others. (2024). Cognitive symptoms of post–COVID-19 condition and daily functioning. JAMA Network Open, 7(2), e2356098. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.56098
- Tok, P. S. K., Kang, K. Y., Ng, S. W., Ab Rahman, N., Syahmi, M. A., & others. (2024). Post COVID-19 condition among adults in Malaysia following the Omicron wave: A prospective cohort study. PLOS ONE, 19(1), e0296488. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0296488
