COVID-19 infection associated with increased risk of new-onset vascular dementia in adults ≥50 years, 2025, Shan et al.

[Chandelier]

COVID-19 infection associated with increased risk of new-onset vascular dementia in adults ≥50 years - npj Dementia

COVID-19 is associated with long-term neurological complications, but its impact on new-onset dementia (NOD), particularly vascular dementia (VaD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), remains unclear. We observed adults aged 50 years and older from the UK Biobank over a median observational period...

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Abstract​

COVID-19 is associated with long-term neurological complications, but its impact on new-onset dementia (NOD), particularly vascular dementia (VaD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), remains unclear.

We observed adults aged 50 years and older from the UK Biobank over a median observational period exceeding two years following COVID-19 infection.
Incidences of various types of dementia (including all-cause dementia, AD, and VaD) in these individuals were compared with those in propensity-score-matched controls without COVID-19 and in individuals with non-COVID respiratory illnesses (including both non-communicable respiratory conditions and non-COVID respiratory tract infections).

We found that COVID-19 survivors had a higher likelihood of developing NOD compared to uninfected controls. This increased risk was primarily driven by VaD rather than AD; however, the risk did not surpass that observed among individuals with non-COVID respiratory illnesses.
Notably, individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions were particularly vulnerable, exhibiting significantly higher risks of VaD following COVID-19 infection.

 

[Kalliope]

Cidrap: COVID-19 infection associated with increased risk new-onset vascular dementia in older adults

quote:

“The observed associations may reflect a broader impact of respiratory conditions on cognitive health rather than a COVID-19–specific effect,” the authors wrote. “Given the substantial societal burden of dementia, continued surveillance and research into the long-term cognitive consequences of COVID-19 are crucial.”

COVID-19 infection associated with increased risk of new-onset vascular dementia in older adults

Prior COVID-19 infection was associated with a 41% increased risk of all-cause dementia.

www.cidrap.umn.edu