Does Covid Increase the Risk of Alzheimer's?

 

Earlier this week researchers made an alarming announcement, that individuals who contracted Covid are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's.

With a third wave of Covid beginning, and new cases of Covid at levels higher than ever before, it is important to remain vigilant given these new findings.

The researchers, who are from UT Health San Antonio, will  present their findings on the relationship between Covid and the brain at the International Alzheimer's Conference beginning this Monday.

Scans taken before and after a person develops Covid show that the infection can cause changes in the same regions of the brain affected by Alzheimer's disease. Genetic studies have found that some of the same genes that can increase an individual's risk for contracting Covid can also increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Most alarmingly, Alzheimer's diagnoses are occurring more frequently in individuals who have contracted a severe case of Covid.

Dr. Gabriel de Erausquin, a professor of neurology at UT Health San Antonio remarked, "It's downright scary!"

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We will provide a report on the researchers' upcoming full presentation. 

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Given these new findings, and the development of this third wave, it is as important as ever to be careful with your social exposure and to continue performing the habits which reduce the risk of Alzheimer's.

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