Global experts take note - COVID-19, like a 'Trojan horse' for the field of neurology, could result in an increased incidence of dementia syndromes
- Alzheimer 's Disease International and the Polish Association for People with Alzheimer's Disease warn that COVID-19 could significantly contribute to the increase in the number of people with neurocognitive disorders. For this reason, they are calling on the World Health Organisation and governments around the world to prioritise and increase funding in the area of research into the links between COVID-19 and dementia syndromes.
- Recent findings suggest that the neurological consequences of COVID-19 may accelerate the onset of the first symptoms of dementia syndromes.
- Dementia researchers from around the world are forming a working group to study the link between the long-term effects of COVID-19 and dementia.
- Worldwide, millions of people may face an increased risk of dementia as a result of the long-term consequences of COVID-19.
Polish Association to Support People with Alzheimer's Disease - 7 September 2021:
As we embark on World Alzheimer's Disease Month, Alzheimer 's Disease International (ADI) - a global federation of more than 100 associations advocating for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia syndromes around the world - is encouraging people to take a closer look at these disorders. By being aware of the specific worrying signs that may indicate the onset of neurodegenerative disorders and by spreading knowledge through the provision of reliable information, advice and support, one can significantly contribute to a quicker diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. However, correct diagnosis can be a difficult and demanding process, depending, among other things, on what level of health care is in place in the country concerned. It should also be noted that people struggling with dementia syndromes often, for fear of stigmatisation, avoid diagnosis, leading more quickly to more advanced stages of the disease.
- Knowing the worrying signs of dementia prompts people to seek information, advice and support more quickly, which can speed up receiving a diagnosis. Having knowledge of the first signs of dementia is now more valuable than ever. Projections show that by 2030, the number of people with dementia syndromes will increase from 55 million to 78 million, and the costs associated with care and treatment will rise to $2.8 trillion annually. We call on WHO, governments and research institutions around the world to make funding research and resources in this area a priority. By doing so, we will be able to avoid the hard-to-predict severe consequences of the coming wave of dementia syndromes - comments ADI CEO Paola Barbarino.
- In Poland, as in other European countries, there is an ageing population trend. At the end of 2019, the number of people aged 65 or over was almost 7 million, accounting for 18% of Poland's total population. The CSO forecast estimates that the proportion of older people in 2050 will account for almost 33% of the total population. This means that in 2050 the number of elderly people with dementia syndromes could be as high as 1.7-2.0 million, of which those with Alzheimer's disease could be as high as 1.1-1.4 million, i.e. about 3 times more than today. It should be noted that although the symptoms mainly affect people over 60, the disease itself starts 15 -20 years earlier. In this situation, it is urgent to implement a coordinated system of early diagnosis, a treatment process based on the latest scientific advances and a programme of extensive support for carers. It is important to remember that family carers in Poland account for approximately 95% of all carers. They bear the entire burden of care, the entire responsibility for the long-term process of caring for the patient, and bear all the costs and consequences of the current care system, i.e.: increased psychological, physical, time and material burden. The result of a lack of support for this group of people is burnout and increased morbidity. This is also why it is urgently necessary to develop and implement the Polish Alzheimer's Plan, the assumptions of which were already developed in 2011. Among European countries, only a few, including Poland, do not have such a plan in place, despite the WHO guidelines in force in this area. These systemic measures would allow patients to participate longer in professional, social and family life, and would be a major relief for caregivers. Research in the USA and several European countries shows that the introduction of an early diagnosis system and extensive health and social care services has reduced the rate of new onset. - comments Zbigniew Tomczak, Chairman of the Board of the Polish Association for People with Alzheimer's Disease.
Recent studies indicate that the neurological consequences of COVID-19's effects on the brain may increase both the likelihood of an individual developing dementia syndrome and the rate of associated, progressive pathological brain changes. ADI has established a working group of the world's leading dementia scientists to conduct and monitor research in this developing field. - We want people to be aware of the possible link between the long-term effects of COVID-19 and the development of dementia. It is important to know that they should observe for themselves and be able to assess the first characteristic symptoms. We call on the World Health Organisation and those in power to urgently accelerate research in this area - Paula Barbarino emphasises.
Latest research presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) in 2021, indicate that some patients who have COVID-19 may experience a more rapid onset of symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia syndrome. These studies show that biomarkers indicative of neuronal network damage and Alzheimer's disease are closely associated with the occurrence of neurological symptoms in patients with COVID-19.
- Global experts are concerned about the link between the incidence of dementia and COVID-19 neurological symptoms.We need to explore this relationship as widely as possible - Paola Barbarino comments.
Members of the ADI's medical and scientific panel of 75 global dementia experts have set up a working group of scientists and doctors to outline the scale of the problem and develop recommendations on how to counter it.
- We have put together a group of some of the world's most eminent researchers and experts to look at this area of - Paula Barbarino emphasises. The working group we have established will collaborate with other such initiatives internationally, including the CNS SARS-CoV-2 Consortium led by the Alzheimer's Association (one of our members in the US), to share knowledge, the latest research and best practices as awareness of the long-term effects of COVID-19 grows.
In the near term, indicators showing the percentage of dementia cases in the population may temporarily decline as a result of the large number of deaths among people with this disorder caused by COVID-19. It is estimated that between 25 and 45 per cent of all COVID-19-related deaths involved people with dementia. However, in the long term, the number of people with dementia syndrome may increase significantly due to the effects of COVID-19 on the nervous system.
The chairman of ADI's medical and scientific team and world-renowned cognitive neuroscientist, Dr Alireza Atri, stresses that we need to pay attention to the 'Trojan horse' that COVID-19 leaves us with.
- Of particular concern are the neurological symptoms that occur in a long course of COVID-19, such as loss of taste and smell, as well as cognitive conditions including 'brain fog', problems with concentration, memory, thinking and speech. COVID-19 can cause damage blood vessels brain, cause an abnormal response of the immune system and its over-activation, outbreaks inflammation, as well as direct entry of the virus into the brain - comments Dr Alireza Atri, director of the Banner Sun Health Research Institute in the US.
- When the blood-brain barrier is damaged, our brain's primary defence system is broken. In simpler terms, if we have castle walls and the enemy makes holes in them, we will be less likely to repel current and future attacks. COVID-19 opens the gates and enters in the same way as Greek soldiers hiding inside a wooden horse. In other words, it facilitates access to agents that can harm the brain - emphasises Dr Alireza Atri.
- We still have a long way to go before we fully understand this. What we do know is that anything that reduces our cognitive reserve and resilience contributes to the acceleration of neurodegenerative processes, which can result in more rapid onset of symptoms of disorders such as dementia syndromes - adds the expert.
To date, few studies have been conducted in this area, but the number is growing. Other studies, such as those presented at the conference AAIC, also showed a correlation between COVID-19 and cognitive decline.
During the Great British Intelligence Test (Great British Intelligence Test) more than 80,000 people took part in an online clinical trial in 2020. The researchers found that recovering patients, including those who no longer reported symptoms, showed significant cognitive deficits compared to the control group.
As Paula Barbarino points out, knowing the symptoms indicative of dementia and knowing how COVID-19 affects the development of dementia are essential for creating a global plan and taking action at the individual country level. Previous pandemics have highlighted the importance of studying the link between new infectious diseases and progressive neurological disorders. For example, epidemiologists found that survivors of the Spanish flu were three times more likely to develop Parkinson's disease.
- It is of utmost importance that the general public, and especially people located at risk of developing dementia syndromeswere aware of the potential impact long-term consequences COVID-19 on functioning of brain. It is urgently necessary to implement appropriate measures to help protect them. I therefore renew my appeal to WHO, governments and research institutions to prioritise and allocate adequate funding to research the relationship between COVID-19 and dementia. Global health systems are not prepared for the announced increase in dementia cases, regardless of the risks associated with COVID-19. One only has to learn from previous pandemics to see the importance of research and preparedness - Paola Barbarino comments. - Dementia is not going away. We need to act now to prepare for submitted consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The slogan for this year's World Alzheimer's Month - #KnowDementia #KnowAlzheimers - Don't overlook worrying symptoms.
Media contact:
Zbigniew Tomczak
Chairman of the Management Board
Polish Association to Support People with Alzheimer's Disease
Emilii Plater 47, 00-118 Warsaw
Tel: +48 605 606 909
E-mail : alzheimerpl@gmail.com
About Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI)
ADI is an international federation of 105 national Alzheimer's associations worldwide. It maintains an official relationship with the World Health Organisation. ADI's mission is the prevention, care and treatment of the disease. ADI believes that the key to winning the fight against dementia is a unique combination of global solutions and local knowledge. ADI works locally, enabling Alzheimer's associations to promote and offer care and support to people with dementia and their carers. Covering the whole world, it focuses attention on dementia and campaigns globally for policy change.
More information at: http://www.alzint.org/