Study links COVID-19 to increased Alzheimer's biomarkers in patients

A new study suggests that people who have had COVID-19 may have higher levels of brain proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease. The effect is similar to aging four years and is more pronounced in those hospitalized with severe COVID-19 or with existing dementia risk factors. Researchers analyzed data from over 1,200 participants and found that former COVID patients showed specific changes in blood proteins associated with Alzheimer's. The study indicates that COVID-19 could be another factor contributing to neurodegenerative diseases, especially in vulnerable individuals. While the study establishes a correlation, it does not prove that COVID-19 directly causes these changes. The findings add to previous research linking infections to increased Alzheimer's risk. The study was published in Nature Medicine.