It will be many years before we know whether the COVID-19 infection causes an increased risk for cognitive decline or Alzheimer's disease.  These risks can be reduced by flu shots and vaccines.  Treatment can reduce the reduce the duration of the virus which will reduce the impact of the brain.

Ohio State University, Columbus

cognition isn't just about thinking but also about brain function.  Many patients have experienced loss of smell, delirium and an increased risk of stroke.  Many experience long lasting effects of the brain.  Some topics to focus on would be as follows:
-  The immune system and the brain
-  How does inflammation exert long-lasting effects on memory?
-  Does COVID-19 increase risk for cognitive decline?

How COVID-19 might increase risk of memory loss and cognitive decline

Tronson, N. (2020, August 10). How COVID-19 might increase risk of memory loss and cognitive decline. Retrieved September 26, 2020, from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-08-covid-memory-loss-cognitive-decline.html

The general malaise, tiredness, fever and social withdrawal are caused by activation of specialized immune cells in the brain, called neuroimmune cells, and signals in the brain.  Neuroimmune cells sit at synapses and provide energy by minute to the brain by releasing inflammatory signals which are essential for normal memory signaling.   Unfortunately the virus can cause acute neurological symptoms and long-lasting impacts to the brain.   The virus requires alot of neuroinflammatory signaling.  Many neurological connections are destroyed and connections at gap junctions are destroyed which are needed to store memory.

Immune system and the brain

In the brain, changes in connections between neurons allows us to store memories and rapidly change behavior to escape threat, or seek food or social opportunities. The immune system has evolved to fine-tune the inflammatory response and antibody production against previously encountered pathogens.  The disruptive and destructive actions of neuroimmune cells and inflammatory signaling can permanently impair memory.

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