COVID A 'Trojan' For Alzheimer’s? Could Trigger Wave Of Dementia Cases: Experts

The pandemic could trigger a wave of dementia and Alzheimer's through the 'Trojan horse' of neurological symptoms associated with long COVID-19, warn experts.

According to the Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), which represents more than 100 Alzheimer’s and dementia associations, there might be a significant rise in the number of dementia patients in the long run, reported CNBC.

ADI said studies show that COVID can increase a person's likelihood of developing dementia and cause dementia symptoms to show up earlier.

Though the pre-COVID prediction was that dementia cases would rise from 55 million to 78 million by 2030, experts now believe millions more could face an accelerated risk of dementia due to COVID’s impact on the brain.

“Many dementia experts around the globe are seriously concerned by the link between dementia and the neurological symptoms of COVID-19,” Paola Barbarino, CEO of ADI, said in the release.

Therefore, the World Health Organization and governments around the world should "urgently fast-track research on the potential impact of COVID-19 on increasing dementia rates," added ADI.

In this wake, the ADI's medical and scientific advisory panel has set up a working group to study that link and make recommendations on how to deal with the problem.

Dr. Alireza Atri, a leading expert in dementia and part of a working group of scientists looking to study this issue, told CTVNews.ca that he first started to notice the problem last fall when several patients in their 50s showed fast deterioration of their cognitive functions.

“All had been ill with COVID – mostly with mild illness, though one had been in the hospital for four days — a few months prior to the steep decline in their cognitive functions," he said. "None of the patients or their family members had thought to link COVID with their mental decline.”

In the release, Atri noted the neurological symptoms of long COVID which include loss of taste and smell, brain fog, and difficulties with memory, concentration, and language.

"COVID-19 can cause damage and clotting in the brain’s micro vessels, immune dysfunction and hyperactivation, inflammation, and, last but not least, direct viral brain invasion through the olfactory pathways," he said in the release.

“Simply put, if you have a fortress and an enemy puts holes in your walls, you’re less likely to be able to withstand current and future attacks. COVID-19 opens the gates in the same way that the Greek soldiers hiding in the wooden horse did. It gives easier access to things that can harm your brain."

However, ADI said dementia rates may drop temporarily as a result of the high number of deaths of people with dementia due to COVID-19.