Memory impairment in post-COVID-19 syndrome; what is the evidence?

Authors

Luciano Luiz Alt, Universidade de Passo FundoFollow
Amanda Delai Bortolini, Universidade de Passo FundoFollow
Bruna Santin Andreis, Universidade de Passo FundoFollow
Caroline Arais Schmidt, Universidade de Passo FundoFollow
Giovana Rugeri, Universidade de Passo FundoFollow
Maria Clara Tonini Pagliarin, Universidade de Passo FundoFollow
Maria Eduarda Dupond Kindel, Universidade de Passo FundoFollow
Maria Fernanda Almeida Costa, Universidade de Passo FundoFollow
Nathália Lorenzoni Costa, Universidade de Passo FundoFollow
Pedro Henrique Sarmento Dariz, Universidade de Passo FundoFollow
Vinícius Grasselli Omizzolo, Universidade de Passo FundoFollow

Abstract

Objectives. Although COVID-19 mainly affects the respiratory system, it can also cause neurological complications like memory impairment, which may be part of post-COVID-19 Syndrome. Identifying these impairments is challenging due to the lack of approaches and limited follow-up. This systematic review aimed to identify the effects of COVID-19 on memory. Methods. Analyzing articles from PubMed, SciELO, and VHL databases, focusing on the relationship between COVID-19 infection and memory impairment. Results. COVID-19 infection was linked to significant declines in memory function. The severity of infection correlated with the intensity of neurological sequelae, particularly memory impairment, with cognitive and executive functions most affected. Recovery in these functions paralleled symptom improvement. Conclusions. Patients often continued to exhibit executive function impairments and cognitive deficits after recovering, complicating the understanding of the underlying pathophysiology.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Alt, Luciano Luiz; Bortolini, Amanda Delai; Andreis, Bruna Santin; Schmidt, Caroline Arais; Rugeri, Giovana; Pagliarin, Maria Clara Tonini; Kindel, Maria Eduarda Dupond; Costa, Maria Fernanda Almeida; Costa, Nathália Lorenzoni; Dariz, Pedro Henrique Sarmento; and Omizzolo, Vinícius Grasselli (2024) "Memory impairment in post-COVID-19 syndrome; what is the evidence?," Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences: Vol. 11: Iss. 2, Article 3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22543/2392-7674.1542
Available at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/jmms/vol11/iss2/3