Persistent loss of smell due to COVID-19 could be connected to long-term cognitive impairment.

Kinsey McManus is with the Alzheimer’s Association’s Desert Southwest Chapter.

"We just heard from a group from Argentina who found that persistent loss of smell may be a better predictor of long term cognitive and functional impairment," she said.

The researchers, who presented their findings at the Alzheimer’s Association’s International Conference, followed 766 adults between the ages of 55 and 95. Two-thirds had some type of cognitive impairment. In half, the impairment was severe.

"We know that loss of smell is most often a signal of inflammatory response in the brain. And we know inflammation is a part of the neurodegenerative process and diseases like Alzheimer's," McManus said. 

McManus said another study looked at women in nine Latin American countries. 

"And what they found was during the pandemic, being female, not working and lower socioeconomic status were associated with more cognitive symptoms. But at the same time…experiencing a positive life change during the pandemic. so people who had more positive time with their friends and family … actually reduce the negative impact of the pandemic on memory and thinking skills."