cognitive impairment

"While we do not know for sure why an earlier diabetes diagnosis would increase the risk for dementia, prior studies show that people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in mid-life may experience more vascular complications, poor blood sugar control, and insulin resistance -- all of which are known risk factors for cognitive impairment," said Bei Wu, the Dean's Professor in Global Health and vice dean for research at NYU Meyers and the study's senior author.

"When patients are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, 25% to 30% already have mild cognitive impairment. As the disorder progresses into its later stages, 50% to 70% of patients complain of cognitive problems," said Lalitha Madhavan, MD, PhD, an associate professor of neurology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine -- Tucson.

Once the gut barrier is breached, even friendly microbes can stir up inflammation, causing health issues ranging from overweight to obesity, infections to autoimmune disease, and mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's.

It said this step was "both reasonable and required in light of her cognitive impairment and consequent inability to drive safely".

These findings underscore the point that COVID-19 is not just another flu; its potential to cause lasting cognitive impairment is too significant to ignore.