🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:
Response:
Calculated Shard: 102 (from laksa174)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:
Response:

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:
Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:
Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

đź“„
INDEXABLE
âś…
CRAWLED
2 months ago
🤖
ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

FilterStatusConditionDetails
HTTP statusPASSdownload_http_code = 200HTTP 200
Age cutoffPASSdownload_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH2.5 months ago
History dropPASSisNull(history_drop_reason)No drop reason
Spam/banPASSfh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0ml_spam_score=0
CanonicalPASSmeta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsedNot set

Page Details

PropertyValue
URLhttps://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/brain-fog-memory-and-attention-after-covid-19-202203172707
Last Crawled2026-02-01 03:40:33 (2 months ago)
First Indexed2022-03-17 13:28:13 (4 years ago)
HTTP Status Code200
Meta TitleBrain fog: Memory and attention after COVID-19 - Harvard Health
Meta DescriptionBrain fog, meaning slow or sluggish thinking, can occur under many different circumstances. In many cases, it is temporary and gets better on its own. Many people who have recovered from COVID-19 report some degree of brain fog and a study suggests even those with milder cases may experience problems ...
Meta Canonicalnull
Boilerpipe Text
As a neurologist working in the COVID Survivorship Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, I find that my patients all have similar issues. It's hard to concentrate, they say. They can't think of a specific word they want to use, and they are uncharacteristically forgetful. Those who come to our cognitive clinic are among the estimated 22% to 32% of patients who recovered from COVID-19, yet find they still have brain fog as part of their experience of long COVID, or post-acute sequelae of SARS CoV-2 infection (PASC), as experts call it. What is brain fog? Brain fog, a term used to describe slow or sluggish thinking, can occur under many different circumstances — for example, when someone is sleep-deprived or feeling unwell, or due to side effects from medicines that cause drowsiness. Brain fog can also occur following chemotherapy or a concussion. In many cases, brain fog is temporary and gets better on its own. However, we don't really understand why brain fog happens after COVID-19, or how long these symptoms are likely to last. But we do know that this form of brain fog can affect different aspects of cognition. What is cognition? Cognition refers to processes in the brain that we use to think, read, learn, remember, reason, and pay attention. Cognitive impairment is a reduction in your ability to perform one or more thinking skills. Among people who were hospitalized for COVID, a wide range of problems with cognition have been reported. They include difficulties with attention, which allows our brains to actively process information that is happening around us while simultaneously ignoring other details. Attention is like a spotlight on a stage during a show that allows performers to stand out from the background. memory, the ability to learn, store, retain, and later retrieve information. executive function, which includes more complex skills such as planning, focusing attention, remembering instructions, and juggling multiple tasks. People struggling with the effects of long COVID may have noticeable problems with attention, memory, and executive function. Studies report these issues both in people who were not hospitalized with COVID and in those who were, as well as in people who had severe cases . These findings raise some important questions about how COVID-19 infection affects cognition. Less obvious lapses in memory and attention may occur even with mild COVID A recent study published by a group of German researchers suggests that even people who don't notice signs of cognitive impairment can have problems with memory and attention after recovering from a mild case of COVID-19. The study involved 136 participants who were recruited from a website advertising the study as a brain game to see how well people could perform. The average age was around 30 years old. Nearly 40% of the participants had recovered from COVID that did not require hospitalization, while the rest had not had COVID. All participants reported having no problems with their memory or thinking. However, testing showed that performance on an attention task was not as good among the group that had COVID compared with those who did not. Likewise, participants who had COVID had significantly worse performance on a memory task. Both of these effects seem to improve over time, with the memory problem becoming better by six months and the impairment in attention no longer present at nine months. This study suggests that problems with memory and attention may occur not only in people who are sick enough with COVID to have been hospitalized and in those who develop long COVID, but also to some degree in most people who had COVID. These findings should be interpreted with caution, however. The study included mostly young patients recruited through a website, none had long COVID, and the participants' cognitive abilities before COVID were not known. What does this study tell us about cognition and COVID? Further research is needed to confirm whether attention and memory difficulties occur widely with COVID-19 infections — across all age groups and no matter how mild or severe the illness — and to consider other factors that might affect cognition. Better understanding of why some people have noticeable problems with attention and memory after having COVID and others do not may ultimately help guide care. Recovery in memory within six months and improvement in attention within nine months of COVID infection was seen in this study, suggesting that some cognitive impairments with COVD, even if widespread, are potentially reversible.
Markdown
![](https://zdbb.net/l/SMQ65iV8SesFwb3ICwHHPk/) [Harvard Health Publishing ![Harvard Health Publishing Logo](https://www.health.harvard.edu/img/logos/NEW-HHP_logo_stack4.svg)](https://www.health.harvard.edu/) [Harvard Health Publishing](https://www.health.harvard.edu/) [HarvardHealthOnline+](https://www.health.harvard.edu/hho-plus?utm_source=site&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=top_button) Search [Customer Service](https://www.health.harvard.edu/customer-service) [Content Licensing](https://www.health.harvard.edu/licensing) [About Us](https://www.health.harvard.edu/about-us) [Log In](https://www.health.harvard.edu/login) Open mobile menu [Free HealthBeat Signup](https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat) Shop [Subscriptions](https://www.health.harvard.edu/subscribe) [Special Health Reports](https://www.health.harvard.edu/special-health-reports) [Online Courses](https://www.harvardhealthonlinelearning.com/catalog) [Pay Subscription Bill](https://www.health.harvard.edu/pay-bill) [Common Conditions](https://www.health.harvard.edu/category/common-conditions) [Staying Healthy](https://www.health.harvard.edu/category/staying-healthy) [Resources](https://www.health.harvard.edu/resources) [Blog](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog) [COVID-19 Updates](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/coronavirus-resource-center) Close menu [HarvardHealthOnline+](https://www.health.harvard.edu/hho-plus?utm_source=site&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=mobile_button) ## Main Content - [Common Conditions](https://www.health.harvard.edu/category/common-conditions) - [Staying Healthy](https://www.health.harvard.edu/category/staying-healthy) - [Resources](https://www.health.harvard.edu/resources) - [Blog](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog) ## Helpful Links - [Customer Service](https://www.health.harvard.edu/customer-service) - [About Us](https://www.health.harvard.edu/about-us) - [Content Licensing](https://www.health.harvard.edu/licensing) - [Free Healthbeat Signup](https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat) - [Subscriptions](https://www.health.harvard.edu/subscribe) - [Special Health Reports](https://www.health.harvard.edu/special-health-reports) - [Online Courses](https://www.harvardhealthonlinelearning.com/) - [Pay Subscription Bill](https://www.health.harvard.edu/pay-bill) Close Recent Articles [![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/17440/conversions/gettyimages-2227091058-micro.jpg) Trying to lose weight? Be careful not to lose muscle](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/trying-to-lose-weight-be-careful-not-to-lose-muscle) [![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/17420/conversions/gettyimages-2149999418-micro.jpg) Is your skin problem actually an autoimmune condition?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/is-your-skin-problem-actually-an-autoimmune-condition) [![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/17418/conversions/gettyimages-1936884125-micro.jpg) People with diabetes face higher risk of hearing loss](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/people-with-diabetes-face-higher-risk-of-hearing-loss) [![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/17417/conversions/gettyimages-1665519771-micro.jpg) Antibiotic-free fixes for recurrent UTIs](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/antibiotic-free-fixes-for-recurrent-utis) [![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/17416/conversions/gettyimages-2174377045-micro.jpg) Musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause: When menopause makes you ache all over](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/musculoskeletal-syndrome-of-menopause-when-menopause-makes-you-ache-all-over) [![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/17415/conversions/gettyimages-1137065752-micro.jpg) When can older women stop getting mammograms?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/when-can-older-women-stop-getting-mammograms) [![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/17419/conversions/gettyimages-1285292767-micro.jpg) To lose weight, especially harmful belly fat, combine diet and exercise](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/to-lose-weight-especially-harmful-belly-fat-combine-diet-and-exercise) [![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/17403/conversions/gettyimages-2208364037-micro.jpg) Can men hold off on treating recurring prostate cancer?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-men-hold-off-on-treating-recurring-prostate-cancer-202512193108) [![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/17414/conversions/gettyimages-1390398016-micro.jpg) The 7 types of rest and why we need them all](https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/the-7-types-of-rest-and-why-we-need-them-all) [![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/17373/conversions/gettyimages-1301173245-micro.jpg) What are the early warning signs of cervical cancer?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/cancer/what-are-the-early-warning-signs-of-cervical-cancer) / [Mind & Mood](https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/mind-and-mood) # Brain fog: Memory and attention after COVID-19 March 17, 2022 By [Tamara Fong, MD, PhD](https://www.health.harvard.edu/authors/tamara-fong-md-phd), Contributor Share [Share this page to Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fblog%2Fbrain-fog-memory-and-attention-after-covid-19-202203172707&display=popup) [Share this page to X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fblog%2Fbrain-fog-memory-and-attention-after-covid-19-202203172707&text=Brain%20fog:%20Memory%20and%20attention%20after%20COVID-19%20-%20Harvard%20Health&tw_p=tweetbutton&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fblog%2Fbrain-fog-memory-and-attention-after-covid-19-202203172707) [Share this page via Email](<mailto:?subject=Great health news for you from the experts at Harvard&body=Check out this link from Harvard Health: Brain fog: Memory and attention after COVID-19 - https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/brain-fog-memory-and-attention-after-covid-19-202203172707>) Copy this page to clipboard Print This Page Click to Print ![A white, cloudy, foggy brain shape against a blue sky background](http://content.health.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/caf90f90-6744-4a5d-a73c-0dc90e08387b.jpg) As a neurologist working in the COVID Survivorship Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, I find that my patients all have similar issues. It's hard to concentrate, they say. They can't think of a specific word they want to use, and they are uncharacteristically forgetful. Those who come to our cognitive clinic are among the estimated [22%](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34973396/) to [32%](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35121209/) of patients who recovered from COVID-19, yet find they still have brain fog as part of their experience of long COVID, or post-acute sequelae of SARS CoV-2 infection (PASC), as experts call it. ## What is brain fog? Brain fog, a term used to describe slow or sluggish thinking, can occur under many different circumstances — for example, when someone is sleep-deprived or feeling unwell, or due to side effects from medicines that cause drowsiness. Brain fog can also occur following chemotherapy or a concussion. In many cases, brain fog is temporary and gets better on its own. However, we don't really understand why brain fog happens after COVID-19, or how long these symptoms are likely to last. But we do know that this form of brain fog can affect different aspects of cognition. ## What is cognition? Cognition refers to processes in the brain that we use to think, read, learn, remember, reason, and pay attention. Cognitive impairment is a reduction in your ability to perform one or more thinking skills. Among people who were hospitalized for COVID, a wide range of problems with cognition have been reported. They include difficulties with - **attention,** which allows our brains to actively process information that is happening around us while simultaneously ignoring other details. Attention is like a spotlight on a stage during a show that allows performers to stand out from the background. - **memory,** the ability to learn, store, retain, and later retrieve information. - **executive function,** which includes more complex skills such as planning, focusing attention, remembering instructions, and juggling multiple tasks. People struggling with the effects of long COVID may have noticeable problems with attention, memory, and executive function. Studies [report these issues](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35060361/) both in people who were not hospitalized with COVID and in those who were, as well as in people who had [severe cases](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8536953/). These findings raise some important questions about how COVID-19 infection affects cognition. ## Less obvious lapses in memory and attention may occur even with mild COVID A recent [study](https://academic.oup.com/braincomms/article/4/1/fcab295/6511053) published by a group of German researchers suggests that even people who don't notice signs of cognitive impairment can have problems with memory and attention after recovering from a mild case of COVID-19. The study involved 136 participants who were recruited from a website advertising the study as a brain game to see how well people could perform. The average age was around 30 years old. Nearly 40% of the participants had recovered from COVID that did not require hospitalization, while the rest had not had COVID. All participants reported having no problems with their memory or thinking. However, testing showed that performance on an attention task was not as good among the group that had COVID compared with those who did not. Likewise, participants who had COVID had significantly worse performance on a memory task. Both of these effects seem to improve over time, with the memory problem becoming better by six months and the impairment in attention no longer present at nine months. This study suggests that problems with memory and attention may occur not only in people who are sick enough with COVID to have been hospitalized and in those who develop long COVID, but also to some degree in most people who had COVID. These findings should be interpreted with caution, however. The study included mostly young patients recruited through a website, none had long COVID, and the participants' cognitive abilities before COVID were not known. ## What does this study tell us about cognition and COVID? Further research is needed to confirm whether attention and memory difficulties occur widely with COVID-19 infections — across all age groups and no matter how mild or severe the illness — and to consider other factors that might affect cognition. Better understanding of why some people have noticeable problems with attention and memory after having COVID and others do not may ultimately help guide care. Recovery in memory within six months and improvement in attention within nine months of COVID infection was seen in this study, suggesting that some cognitive impairments with COVD, even if widespread, are potentially reversible. ## About the Author ![photo of Tamara Fong, MD, PhD](https://d2icykjy7h7x7e.cloudfront.net/authors/CNrpJ70sPL254mKuxQVbXp3y3Sc6rX16qOBPKfHc.jpg) Tamara Fong, MD, PhD, Contributor Dr. Tamara Fong is an assistant scientist in the Aging Brain Center at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, and associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School. She directs the cognitive clinic … [See Full Bio](https://www.health.harvard.edu/authors/tamara-fong-md-phd) [View all posts by Tamara Fong, MD, PhD](https://www.health.harvard.edu/authors/tamara-fong-md-phd) Share [Share this page to Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fblog%2Fbrain-fog-memory-and-attention-after-covid-19-202203172707&display=popup) [Share this page to X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fblog%2Fbrain-fog-memory-and-attention-after-covid-19-202203172707&text=Brain%20fog:%20Memory%20and%20attention%20after%20COVID-19%20-%20Harvard%20Health&tw_p=tweetbutton&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fblog%2Fbrain-fog-memory-and-attention-after-covid-19-202203172707) [Share this page via Email](<mailto:?subject=Great health news for you from the experts at Harvard&body=Check out this link from Harvard Health: Brain fog: Memory and attention after COVID-19 - https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/brain-fog-memory-and-attention-after-covid-19-202203172707>) Copy this page to clipboard Print This Page Click to Print ## Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Recent Articles [![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/17440/conversions/gettyimages-2227091058-micro.jpg) Trying to lose weight? Be careful not to lose muscle](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/trying-to-lose-weight-be-careful-not-to-lose-muscle) [![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/17420/conversions/gettyimages-2149999418-micro.jpg) Is your skin problem actually an autoimmune condition?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/is-your-skin-problem-actually-an-autoimmune-condition) [![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/17418/conversions/gettyimages-1936884125-micro.jpg) People with diabetes face higher risk of hearing loss](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/people-with-diabetes-face-higher-risk-of-hearing-loss) [![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/17417/conversions/gettyimages-1665519771-micro.jpg) Antibiotic-free fixes for recurrent UTIs](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/antibiotic-free-fixes-for-recurrent-utis) [![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/17416/conversions/gettyimages-2174377045-micro.jpg) Musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause: When menopause makes you ache all over](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/musculoskeletal-syndrome-of-menopause-when-menopause-makes-you-ache-all-over) [![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/17415/conversions/gettyimages-1137065752-micro.jpg) When can older women stop getting mammograms?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/when-can-older-women-stop-getting-mammograms) [![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/17419/conversions/gettyimages-1285292767-micro.jpg) To lose weight, especially harmful belly fat, combine diet and exercise](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/to-lose-weight-especially-harmful-belly-fat-combine-diet-and-exercise) [![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/17403/conversions/gettyimages-2208364037-micro.jpg) Can men hold off on treating recurring prostate cancer?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-men-hold-off-on-treating-recurring-prostate-cancer-202512193108) [![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/17414/conversions/gettyimages-1390398016-micro.jpg) The 7 types of rest and why we need them all](https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/the-7-types-of-rest-and-why-we-need-them-all) [![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/17373/conversions/gettyimages-1301173245-micro.jpg) What are the early warning signs of cervical cancer?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/cancer/what-are-the-early-warning-signs-of-cervical-cancer) / ## Related Topics [![CDC updates recommendations for pneumococcal and COVID vaccines featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/16110/conversions/p8-vaccine-wl0224-gi1310648717-thumb.jpg) Diseases & Conditions CDC updates recommendations for pneumococcal and COVID vaccines](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/cdc-updates-recommendations-for-pneumococcal-and-covid-vaccines) [![Warding off germs this winter: What's helpful, what's not featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14542/conversions/852200b6-1311-48c3-9665-c6331f8e7652-thumb.jpg) Staying Healthy Warding off germs this winter: What's helpful, what's not](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/warding-off-germs-this-winter-whats-helpful-whats-not) [![The latest on long COVID featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15865/conversions/p4-longcovid-n1224-gi1331672331-thumb.jpg) Diseases & Conditions The latest on long COVID](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-latest-on-long-covid) [COVID-19](https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/covid-19) [Memory](https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/memory) You might also be interested in… ![](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15402/cognitivefitnesscog24cover.jpg) ## A Guide to Cognitive Fitness: 7 steps to optimizing brain function and improving brain health In this Special Health Report, Harvard Medical School doctors share a seven-step program that can yield important and lasting results. Together these lifestyle changes can strengthen your intellectual prowess, promote your powers of recall, and protect the brain-based skills that are essential for full, rewarding, and independent living. From simple and specific changes in eating to ways to challenge your brain, this is guidance that will pay dividends for you and your future. [Read More](https://www.health.harvard.edu/special-health-report/a-guide-to-cognitive-fitness?utm_source=site&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=cross-sell) ## Free Healthbeat Signup Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox\! [Sign Up](https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat) ## Footer [Harvard Health Publishing ![Harvard Medical Logo](https://www.health.harvard.edu/img/logos/hhp-grayscale-logo.svg)](https://www.health.harvard.edu/) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/HarvardHealthPublications) [X (formerly known as Twitter)](https://x.com/harvardhealth) [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvard-health-publications/) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-jj29vMMB1ulz_uEU5kUrA) ### My Account - [Customer Service](https://www.health.harvard.edu/customer-service) - [Log in](https://www.health.harvard.edu/login) ### Order Now - [Online Learning Courses](https://www.harvardhealthonlinelearning.com/) - [Digital Subscriptions](https://www.health.harvard.edu/subscribe) - [Special Health Reports](https://www.health.harvard.edu/special-health-reports) - [Print Subscriptions](https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters) ### More - [About Us](https://www.health.harvard.edu/about-us) - [Permissions](https://www.health.harvard.edu/permissions) - [Content Licensing](https://www.health.harvard.edu/licensing) - [Topics](https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics) - [Trademark Notice](https://trademark.harvard.edu/pages/trademark-notice) © 2026 [Harvard Health Publishing®](https://trademark.harvard.edu/pages/trademark-notice) of The President and Fellows of Harvard College [Do not sell my personal information](https://www.health.harvard.edu/privacy-policy#california-residents) \| [Privacy Policy and Terms of Use](https://www.health.harvard.edu/privacy-policy) [Scroll To Top](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/brain-fog-memory-and-attention-after-covid-19-202203172707#app) Close ![Harvard Health Publishing Logo](https://www.health.harvard.edu/img/logos/NEW-HHP_logo_stack4.svg) Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. **25 Gut Health Hacks is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive health information from Harvard Medical School.** Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to lessen **digestion** problems…keep **inflammation** under control…learn simple exercises to improve your **balance**…understand your options for **cataract** treatment…all delivered to your email box FREE. Close ![Harvard Health Publishing Logo](https://www.health.harvard.edu/img/logos/NEW-HHP_logo_stack4.svg) Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School **And a FREE copy of the new report 25 Gut Health Hacks\!** ![Free Report! 25 Gut Health Hacks.](https://www.health.harvard.edu/img/healthbeat/shr200px-25_gut_health_hacks_freemium.png) Sign up to receive HealthBeat emails from Harvard Health Publishing and get helpful tips and guidance for ways to lessen digestion problems… keep inflammation under control… learn simple exercises to improve your balance… understand your options for cataract treatment… all delivered to your email inbox FREE. PLUS, you'll get the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts, and special offers on content from Harvard Health Publishing. Close ![Harvard Health Publishing Logo](https://www.health.harvard.edu/img/logos/logo-mark.svg) Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Plus, get a FREE copy of **25 Gut Health Hacks**. Close ![Harvard Health Publishing Logo](https://www.health.harvard.edu/img/logos/logo-mark.svg) Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Plus, get a FREE copy of **25 Gut Health Hacks**. ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=5983729&fmt=gif)
Readable Markdown
![A white, cloudy, foggy brain shape against a blue sky background](http://content.health.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/caf90f90-6744-4a5d-a73c-0dc90e08387b.jpg) As a neurologist working in the COVID Survivorship Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, I find that my patients all have similar issues. It's hard to concentrate, they say. They can't think of a specific word they want to use, and they are uncharacteristically forgetful. Those who come to our cognitive clinic are among the estimated [22%](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34973396/) to [32%](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35121209/) of patients who recovered from COVID-19, yet find they still have brain fog as part of their experience of long COVID, or post-acute sequelae of SARS CoV-2 infection (PASC), as experts call it. ## What is brain fog? Brain fog, a term used to describe slow or sluggish thinking, can occur under many different circumstances — for example, when someone is sleep-deprived or feeling unwell, or due to side effects from medicines that cause drowsiness. Brain fog can also occur following chemotherapy or a concussion. In many cases, brain fog is temporary and gets better on its own. However, we don't really understand why brain fog happens after COVID-19, or how long these symptoms are likely to last. But we do know that this form of brain fog can affect different aspects of cognition. ## What is cognition? Cognition refers to processes in the brain that we use to think, read, learn, remember, reason, and pay attention. Cognitive impairment is a reduction in your ability to perform one or more thinking skills. Among people who were hospitalized for COVID, a wide range of problems with cognition have been reported. They include difficulties with - **attention,** which allows our brains to actively process information that is happening around us while simultaneously ignoring other details. Attention is like a spotlight on a stage during a show that allows performers to stand out from the background. - **memory,** the ability to learn, store, retain, and later retrieve information. - **executive function,** which includes more complex skills such as planning, focusing attention, remembering instructions, and juggling multiple tasks. People struggling with the effects of long COVID may have noticeable problems with attention, memory, and executive function. Studies [report these issues](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35060361/) both in people who were not hospitalized with COVID and in those who were, as well as in people who had [severe cases](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8536953/). These findings raise some important questions about how COVID-19 infection affects cognition. ## Less obvious lapses in memory and attention may occur even with mild COVID A recent [study](https://academic.oup.com/braincomms/article/4/1/fcab295/6511053) published by a group of German researchers suggests that even people who don't notice signs of cognitive impairment can have problems with memory and attention after recovering from a mild case of COVID-19. The study involved 136 participants who were recruited from a website advertising the study as a brain game to see how well people could perform. The average age was around 30 years old. Nearly 40% of the participants had recovered from COVID that did not require hospitalization, while the rest had not had COVID. All participants reported having no problems with their memory or thinking. However, testing showed that performance on an attention task was not as good among the group that had COVID compared with those who did not. Likewise, participants who had COVID had significantly worse performance on a memory task. Both of these effects seem to improve over time, with the memory problem becoming better by six months and the impairment in attention no longer present at nine months. This study suggests that problems with memory and attention may occur not only in people who are sick enough with COVID to have been hospitalized and in those who develop long COVID, but also to some degree in most people who had COVID. These findings should be interpreted with caution, however. The study included mostly young patients recruited through a website, none had long COVID, and the participants' cognitive abilities before COVID were not known. ## What does this study tell us about cognition and COVID? Further research is needed to confirm whether attention and memory difficulties occur widely with COVID-19 infections — across all age groups and no matter how mild or severe the illness — and to consider other factors that might affect cognition. Better understanding of why some people have noticeable problems with attention and memory after having COVID and others do not may ultimately help guide care. Recovery in memory within six months and improvement in attention within nine months of COVID infection was seen in this study, suggesting that some cognitive impairments with COVD, even if widespread, are potentially reversible.
Shard102 (laksa)
Root Hash2971912334127662702
Unparsed URLedu,harvard!health,www,/blog/brain-fog-memory-and-attention-after-covid-19-202203172707 s443