As RECOVER enters the next phase of its adult observational study, researchers will take a deeper look at how the brain interacts with the rest of the body—and how these connections may lead to symptoms like brain fog.
Cognitive symptoms (such as trouble thinking clearly, remembering things, and concentrating) are among the most common challenges reported by people with Long COVID. A 2024 RECOVER study found that 64% of people likely to have Long COVID reported these symptoms, often described by the term “brain fog.”
Despite how common they are, brain-related symptoms remain some of the most burdensome and least understood, said Jacqueline Becker, PhD, a RECOVER researcher, neurocognitive lead for the next phase of RECOVER’s adult observational study, and clinical neuropsychologist, who studies the brain and how it functions.
“These symptoms can affect nearly every part of daily life, from work to relationships. But we still don’t fully understand why they happen, which makes them difficult to treat,” said Dr. Becker.
RECOVER researchers have observed that cognitive symptoms rarely appear in isolation. Rather, they often appear alongside other symptoms, such as poor sleep, depression, post-exertional malaise (symptoms that get worse after physical, mental, or emotional activity), or cardiopulmonary issues (problems with the heart and lungs). This overlap makes it difficult to pinpoint what’s driving brain fog in any one person.
“’Brain fog’ is a catch-all term people use, but it likely reflects many different underlying problems,” Dr. Becker said. “In most cases, there isn’t one thing that causes brain fog, but rather a combination of factors.”
