Greatly increased risk of Alzheimer’s due to COVID-19
If elderly COVID-19 according to a recent study, the risk will increase within the next year Alzheimer fall ill, almost doubled. The suspicion of a connection between COVID-19 and dementia seems to be confirmed.
In a new study involving experts from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Anonymized electronic health data from millions of inpatients and outpatients were evaluated in order to determine possible connections between COVID-19 and subsequent Alzheimer’s disease. The results were published in theJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease” released.
Participants were at least 65 years old
In the research work, the health records of 6.2 million people taken into account which already at least 65 years were old. The participants were treated between February 2020 and May 2021 and had not previously been diagnosed with Alzheimer.
Then these participants became two groups educated. There was a group of people who in the above period COVID-19 were ill. The other group included people who had no documented cases of COVID-19, the team reports.
In total, more than 400,000 participants assigned to the COVID group. On the other hand, there was about 5.8 million peoplewho did not have COVID-19 and formed the control group.
Increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease
The analysis of the data showed that participants who at least 65 years old and previously ill with COVID-19 were at significantly higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in the year following their COVID-19 diagnosis.
The highest risk involved Womendie 85 years or older were, the researchers report.
Double the risk of Alzheimer’s from COVID-19
According to the experts, the results of the study show that older people Risk for Alzheimer’s disease within a year of COVID-19 almost doubled (from 0.35 percent to 0.68 percent).
However, it is unclear whether a disease caused by COVID-19 is the new development of Alzheimer’s triggers or the development of Alzheimer’s only accelerated.
Role of viral infections and inflammation
„The factors that play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease are poorly understood, but two factors thought to be important are previous infections, particularly viral infections, and inflammation‘ explains the author of the study Professor Pamela Davis in a press release.
„Because SARS-CoV2 infection is associated with central nervous system abnormalities, including inflammation, we wanted to test whether COVID could also lead to increased diagnoses in the short term‘ the doctor adds. The result seems to clearly confirm this.
Future massive rise in cases of Alzheimer’s?
„Alzheimer’s disease is a serious and difficult disease and we thought we had some control over it by reducing common risk factors such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and sedentary lifestyle“, so Professor Davis.
But if the study continues to increase the number of new Alzheimer’s diagnoses among people affected by COVID-19, the burden on the healthcare system and the need for resources for long-term care would increase significantly again.
Analysis of the possible complications of COVID-19 necessary
The expert adds that a large number of people in the USA have been or are affected by COVID-19, although the long-term consequences are by no means foreseeable. The impact of COVID-19 on other possible health problems and diseases should therefore be kept in mind as a matter of urgency.
The team is already planning the impact Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases to investigate further, study author adds Professor Rong Xu added. The research will focus in particular on which Subpopulations may be particularly vulnerable.
The aim is also to examine the potential of drugs that have already been approved when it comes to their to change the original purpose and use them to treat COVID-19, so Xu. (as)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the requirements of medical specialist literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
Sources:
- Lindseya Wang, Pamela B. Davis, Nora D. Volkow, Nathan A. Berger, David C. Kaelber, et al.: Association of COVID-19 with New-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease ; in: Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (veröffentlicht 13.09.2022), Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease
- Case Western Reserve University: Risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease increases by 50-80% in older adults who caught COVID-19 (veröffentlicht 13.09.2022), Case Western Reserve University
Important NOTE:
This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.