Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026
10:57
Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
24.2K
Public Health
Mahmood Mohamed1, Shreya Upendra1, Li Zhou1
1Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
Alzheimer'S & Dementia : the Journal of the Alzheimer'S Association
|December 23, 2025
Summary
Long-term smell/taste loss and extended hospitalization after COVID-19 infection are linked to persistent cognitive impairment in older adults. This highlights the need for further research into COVID-19
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gerontology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) is associated with cognitive deficits, including attention, executive function, and memory impairments.
- Older adults, particularly those from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds, are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 and potential cognitive decline.
- Previous research has limitations due to suboptimal cognitive assessments and underrepresentation of diverse populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between persistent COVID-19 symptoms and cognitive outcomes in a diverse cohort of older adults.
- To address the gap in understanding post-COVID-19 cognitive impairment in minority populations.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving 20 participants (mean age 63.4 years) from a COVID-19 Biobank, hospitalized in 2020.
- Participants had a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and were aged 55 or older.
- Remote administration of the NACC UDS 3.0 and questionnaires assessing persistent COVID-19 symptoms; univariate analyses were employed.
Main Results:
- Long-term loss of smell/taste (>4 weeks) correlated with significantly lower scores on the CERAD cognitive battery (p=0.016).
- Longer hospitalization duration was associated with poorer global cognition (p=0.001), verbal memory (p=0.014), auditory working memory (p=0.043), processing speed (p<0.001), and verbal fluency (p=0.009).
- No significant differences were found between participants with and without short-term smell/taste loss during infection.
Conclusions:
- Persistent cognitive impairment was observed approximately 2.9 years post-COVID-19 infection in participants with long-term smell/taste loss and longer hospitalizations.
- Findings suggest the need to study the long-term impact of infections like COVID-19 on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) risk, especially in diverse older populations.
- Further large-scale, longitudinal research is required to elucidate mechanisms and develop cognitive rehabilitation strategies.
More Related Videos
09:33Visualizing Field Data Collection Procedures of Exposure and Biomarker Assessments for the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network Trial in India
Published on: December 23, 2022
2.6K
07:20Dried Blood Spot Collection of Health Biomarkers to Maximize Participation in Population Studies
Published on: January 28, 2014
37.1K
Related Concept Videos
01:30Primary Healthcare Services
1.9K
Primary care promotes wellness and prevents disease. This care includes health promotion, education, protection (such as immunizations), early disease screening, and environmental considerations. Settings providing this type of healthcare include physician offices, public health clinics, school nursing, and community health nursing.
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
1.9K
01:26Levels of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention
14.1K
Health promotion allows a person to control the determinants of health, resulting in an improved health status. It enhances the quality of life and reduces premature deaths. Health promotion and illness prevention programs help people make beneficial choices to reduce the risk of disease and disabilities. There are three health promotion and illness prevention levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...
14.1K
01:30Preventive Healthcare Services
1.8K
Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include:
1.8K
01:26Principles of Disease Surveillance
439
Disease surveillance is the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data essential to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health practice. This process integrates data dissemination to entities responsible for preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability. Surveillance systems provide crucial information for action, helping public health authorities make informed decisions to manage and prevent outbreaks, ensure public safety, optimize...
439
01:17Healthcare Agencies II
1000
There are various healthcare agencies in the United States—some of which are managed by religious institutions and others by different government branches.
Parish nursing is a growing specialty nursing profession that focuses on holistic healthcare, health promotion, and illness prevention. It blends professional nursing practice with a health ministry, focusing on health and healing within the context of a Christian community. Parish nurses serve as health educators, referral sources,...
Parish nursing is a growing specialty nursing profession that focuses on holistic healthcare, health promotion, and illness prevention. It blends professional nursing practice with a health ministry, focusing on health and healing within the context of a Christian community. Parish nurses serve as health educators, referral sources,...
1000
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
3.9K
At the different levels of the healthcare system, we see varying methods of healthcare used. These methods include managed care systems, case management, and primary healthcare.
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is...
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is...
3.9K