PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Could COVID-19 infections increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease? A recent study out of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine has some concerning results.
Based on a review of the electronic health records of more than 6 million Americans over age 65, researchers there have established a link between COVID-19 infection and the development of Alzheimer’s disease within a year.
The numbers are startling: For every 1,000 seniors diagnosed with COVID, seven will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s within a year. The expected number would be five in a 1,000 if there was not a COVID infection.
It is important to emphasize this is not a cause-and-effect relationship, but it definitely means that people over age 65 who get COVID should be tested for memory issues.
KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.