A new wave of scientific concern is growing over emerging evidence that COVID-19 may be accelerating cognitive decline, raising the question: Is the coronavirus fundamentally changing the way we age? Doctors and researchers worldwide are alarmed by signs that surviving COVID-19 could hasten processes typically associated with aging brains—including earlier onset and greater severity of memory loss, confusion, and other neurological symptoms. These revelations, based on increasingly robust research, are already reshaping conversations about health, aging, and long-term care in Thailand and worldwide (WSJ).
For Thai readers, where respect for elders and concerns about dementia weigh heavily on the national consciousness, these findings strike a particularly urgent chord. Traditionally, aging in Thailand has been viewed as a time when families come together to care for their elders, and mental sharpness is prized alongside physical health. But as COVID-19 continues to affect millions, what if recovering from the virus means facing a new risk of declining brain health—even for patients who previously had no noticeable cognitive issues? The threat goes beyond individual cases, potentially burdening families, health care systems, and the Thai economy with an unexpected surge in neurocognitive disorders.
Recent research reveals that people who have had COVID-19, especially older adults and those with severe cases, are showing higher rates of cognitive decline than their peers who never contracted the virus. For example, a 2025 study identifies “cognitive symptoms reported in the vast majority of individuals with long-COVID,” with experts noting that neurovascular mechanisms and brain inflammation may drive these issues (PubMed). Another case report describes a 73-year-old woman who experienced marked cognitive impairment and neuropsychiatric symptoms—ultimately diagnosed as “post-COVID encephalopathy”—well over a year after her infection, illustrating the complex and persistent nature of long COVID brain symptoms (PubMed).
The Wall Street Journal recently summarized the mounting consensus: “Most agree that long-Covid patients experience cognitive issues and other neurological symptoms likely fueled by brain inflammation” (MSN). Several scientists have now identified a plausible link between the body’s response to the virus—especially the persistent inflammation found in long COVID cases—and damage to tissues and blood vessels in the brain. This reaction could trigger or worsen age-related brain changes, including those leading to Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias (The Conversation).
Data from both clinical and epidemiological research deepen the worry. One pivotal 2025 paper entitled “Impact of Severe COVID-19 on Accelerating Dementia Onset” explores how severe infection may tip some patients into rapid cognitive decline, although the mechanism is still not fully clear (PubMed). Furthermore, large-scale genetic and neuroimaging studies are now revealing that COVID-19 may actually trigger the expression of genes linked to brain aging—supporting anecdotal clinical reports of patients experiencing “brain fog” and memory problems long after their infections (Jerusalem Post).
Analysis of published expert opinions underscores that while all age groups are susceptible to lingering cognitive effects after COVID-19, older adults—particularly those over 60—are at the highest risk. Dr. Avindra Nath, clinical director of the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, observed in a 2024 interview, “We’ve seen people in their 40s and 50s coming in with cognitive symptoms that resemble early Alzheimer’s, months after a seemingly mild infection.” Thai neurologist Dr. Chulaporn Sittichai from Siriraj Hospital adds, “While it’s too early to know if COVID truly accelerates neurodegenerative disease, we now recommend cognitive screening for all older patients post-infection, regardless of disease severity.”
The implications for Thailand are sobering. Thailand already faces a rapidly aging population, with more than 20% expected to be over 60 years old by 2035 (NESDC). Pre-COVID, projections already warned of a looming dementia burden; post-COVID, this load could be significantly heavier. Thai households, traditionally expected to care for older relatives, may find it increasingly difficult as more elders face memory loss and confusion, which require specialized care.
Thai culture places a strong emphasis on intergenerational harmony, with the Thai expression “บวชใจ” (bwat jai—’to calm the heart’) capturing the reverence for elders and the value of peaceful aging. Yet the pandemic’s disruption of these traditions—exacerbated by fears of infecting older family members—could be compounded by long-term cognitive repercussions. As Dr. Nattapol Jonjit, a gerontologist at Mahidol University, notes, “Families may need new tools and resources to protect brain health and adapt to a potential rise in dementia cases. This is a national health issue, not just a family one.”
Historically, rising rates of dementia have followed broader shifts in Thai society: rapid urbanization, changes in diet and exercise, and now the stresses of COVID-19. Previously, the main risk factors for dementia were hypertension, diabetes, and limited education, but now post-COVID syndrome could become a fourth significant vector. Notably, the Royal College of Physicians of Thailand has already begun urging nationwide cognitive screening initiatives for elders who have recovered from COVID-19, mimicking new policies in Japan and Europe (Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience).
Looking ahead, researchers are racing to uncover answers. Ongoing studies are exploring whether anti-inflammatory drugs, cognitive therapy, or tailored exercise regimens can slow or reverse COVID-related neurodegeneration. Early results hint at some promise for interventions—such as mindfulness meditation, traditional Thai massage, and dietary changes known to support brain health—though more conclusive evidence is needed before making universal recommendations (Psychology Today).
So what can Thai readers do now? While we wait for further research, practical steps to protect brain health include getting vaccinated and staying up-to-date with booster shots to reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes; engaging in regular aerobic exercise, which has proven neuroprotective effects; eating a balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish, tofu, and certain Thai herbs); and seeking prompt medical advice if any new memory, attention, or confusion problems arise after COVID-19 infection. Families should talk openly about these risks, encourage older members to remain socially and mentally active, and, if needed, access support from mental health or neurological clinics.
Above all, Thailand must recognize that the impact of COVID-19 on the brain could reshape national health priorities for decades. By fostering awareness and early intervention, Thais can help preserve not only individual memory and cognition—but also the essential threads that knit families and communities together.
Sources: