Forbes: Dutch Survey Data Shows Significant Increase In Memory And Concentration Problems Among Adults Since Start Of Covid-19 Pandemic

[SNT Gatchaman]

Recently published data from the Netherlands suggests that among people ages 25 and up, memory and concentration problems have risen by 24% since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. [...] there has been a 31% increase in primary care visits by adults ages 25 to 44 for “memory and concentration problems” in the past three years. Among the 45 to 74 year-old group, there was a 40% jump in visits to the doctor for these specific complaints. And, in the 75 and up age group, there was an 18% rise in physician visits.

Professor Dückers, who leads the research on behalf of RIVM and NIVEL, says it’s a “worrying development … We still don’t know much about the long-term effects, but the picture is now emerging that the pandemic can lead to faster aging on a significant scale.”

Not sure how the following paragraph even made it in when we're talking about a 31% increase in GP visits for this in 25-44 year olds...

A plausible explanation is that the isolation brought about by Covid-19 restrictions contributed to accelerated cognitive decline among people who were already starting to have problems with memory and concentration.

Back to reality...

Experts posit, however, that long Covid is likely to blame for the majority of sufferers. Since 2020, numerous investigations have shown that memory and concentration problems are common post-Covid symptoms. Other infectious diseases, such as flu, can also cause these symptoms. But studies have demonstrated that long-term memory and concentration problems are much more common after being infected with Covid-19 than following a bout with influenza. Specifically, people struggling with the effects of long Covid can exhibit problems with attention, memory, and executive function.

What is referred to in everyday parlance as “brain fog” includes cognitive problems such as remembering and concentrating, but also performing daily tasks. Working memory, which is a form of short-term memory, allows people to store and retrieve information while doing daily activities, such as problem solving, reading or having a conversation.

The Dutch Minister of Health Kuipers will soon announce whether (and how much) additional budget will be allocated to government-funded biomedical research into the causes of long Covid.

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