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Neurological symptoms of COVID-19 can last months

Journal
Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
Reuters - 17/06/2022 - COVID-19-related neurological symptoms, such as memory and concentration issues, can last half a year or more in some patients, according to a small study. 

Among 27 patients who had such symptoms weeks after recovering from COVID-19, only nine reported complete resolution six months after joining the study, researchers reported in Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology. The remaining 18 still had nervous system abnormalities - most often, impaired memory and trouble concentrating - although generally the symptoms had become less severe. 

"Some of these participants are high-level professionals who we'd expect to score above average on cognitive assessments, but months after having COVID-19, they're still scoring abnormally," Dr. Jennifer Graves of UC San Diego Health said in a statement. 

Most study participants had mild or moderate COVID-19. Graves said she suspects the neurological symptoms are caused by an immune response to the virus. 

In four patients, her team saw a previously unidentified set of symptoms that included cognitive deficits, tremor and difficulty balancing. "These are folks who had no neurological problems before COVID-19, and now they have an incoordination of their body and possible incoordination of their thoughts," said Graves. "We did not expect this." 

SOURCE: https://bit.ly/3xYQAvQ Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, online June 15, 2022.

By Reuters Staff 



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