Post-COVID Cognitive Impairment as a Drug Development Target

Long COVID symptoms, particularly cognitive impairment often referred to as brain fog, have emerged as a significant challenge, affecting about 20 to 30 percent of individuals who have had COVID-19. This cognitive impairment, which leads to issues in memory, language, and planning, poses challenges not only for individual patients but also results in substantial economic impact, as over 80% of those affected report difficulties returning to work or education. Neuroinflammation triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is considered a primary mechanism behind these cognitive deficits, opening up opportunities for drug developers to repurpose existing neuroinflammation-targeting therapies for long COVID treatment. Despite the potential for developing effective interventions, addressing methodological concerns surrounding the reliable measurement and regulatory approval of cognitive impairment as a diagnosable entity remains crucial.