I don't think we have any real evidence for that. There may be a small number of people who had severe Covid and needed intensive care, with specific neurological lesions, but the main 'brain fog' problem being discussed is not in any way comparable to Alzheimer's as far as I know.
I agree, but I'd like to know the source for the quote.

Which person or organization claimed that this cognitive impairment was a type of dementia?
 
I did a double-take on that too. As Jo says, I don't think for a moment this relates to us. I suspect they're commenting there on the accelerated decline observed in pw Alzheimers [*]. The authors may be misunderstanding what was said or confused about the context and associated role of the US National Institute on Aging. If the authors are unaware of our type of variable cognitive dysfunction, they may naively be assuming that impaired cognition == neurodegeneration.

This is the entire passage —

Trial of baricitinib
Michael Peluso (University of California, San Francisco) described the REVERSE-LC (Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial Evaluating Baricitinib on Persistent Neurologic and Cardiopulmonary Symptoms of Long COVID) trial that is evaluating baricitinib on persistent neurological and cardiopulmonary symptoms of long COVID. The ongoing clinical study at Vanderbilt University Medical Center is supported by the US National Institute on Aging (NIA) and focuses on long COVID-associated cognitive impairment (a type of Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia). The targeted enrollment is 550 adults, with the primary objective of evaluating safety and efficacy of baricitinib versus placebo on objective neuropsychological outcomes in these individuals. The secondary objective is to determine the effects on physical function, autonomic function, functional status and quality of life. TLC is working with its partner Research Triangle Institute International to add 11 additional sites to accelerate enrollment by more than 1 year in the trial. Tracy Nolen (Research Triangle Institute International) noted that site selection of these additional trial sites is currently ongoing, and the sites will be added to the ongoing trial by 2026. With topline results available in 2028, a potential clear indication that baricitinib is effective in treating these long COVID symptoms could lead to a larger, pivotal TLC clinical trial of this agent.

[*] See eg Alzheimer Disease Patients Who Survived COVID-19 Have Rapid Disease Progression and a Higher Risk of Death at 5-year Follow-up: A Retrospective Cohort Study (2025)
 
Sadly, there was talk of neuro-psychiatric psychosis associated with Long Covid. "Alzheimers-associated" implies some pathological finding of neuro-degenerative disease.

But cognitive impairment does not mean dementia, except where someone was trained to assume that it is equivalent, which I found odd and ominous in the administrative procedure of an NHS sub-contractor.

But maybe if its "neuro-cognitive" and someone fuzzy wrote it up for Wes Ely's withdrawn immunomodulation trial at Vanderbilt University Medical Center:

ICH GCP
US Clinical Trials Registry
Clinical Trial NCT05858515

REVERSE-Long COVID-19 With Baricitinib Study (REVERSE-LC)

REVERSE-Long COVID: A Multicenter Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of Immunomodulation (With Baricitinib) for Long COVID Related Cognitive Impairment and ADRD (Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias)

REVERSE-LC is a phase 3 trial of baricitinib versus placebo in adults with neurocognitive impairment (a form of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias or ADRD) or cardiopulmonary symptoms due to Long COVID.

Status - Withdrawn

January 29, 2025 updated by: Wes Ely, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Eligibility:

Meet the following criteria for "Post-COVID Condition" or Long COVID:

* Cognitive impairment as defined by having at least 20% positive (worse or much worse) items on the ECOG assessment

* Neurocognitive symptoms must have been present for at least 60 days prior to screening. Symptoms that wax and wane must have been initially present at least 60 days prior to screening.

Exclusion:

* Severe cognitive, physical, or psychological disability that would prevent participation in the study


Secondary outcomes (over a 9 month time-frame):

Everyday Cognition: Assess percentage changes of cognitive impairment using Everyday Cognition (ECog) scale in the baricitinib arm compared to the placebo arm from baseline to week 12

Global Neuropsychological Function: Assess percentage changes of global neuropsychological function as measured using the CNS Vital Signs Neurocognition Index cognitive battery between baricitinib and placebo study arm from baseline to week 12.

Post-Exertional Malaise: Assess percentage changes of post-exertional malaise using De Paul Symptom Questionnaire - Post-Exertional Malaise (DSQ-PEM) in the baricitinib arm compared to the placebo arm from baseline to week 12

Symptom Burden: Assess percentage changes of post COVID-19 symptom burden using the Symptom Burden Questionnaire for Long COVID (SBQ-LC) Circulation Subscale in the baricitinib arm compared to the placebo arm from baseline to week 12

Inflammation biomarkers: Decreases in plasma biomarkers of inflammation in the baricitinib arm compared to placebo arm from baseline to week 12

Viral Reservoirs: Decreases in viral reservoirs for the baricitinib arm compared to placebo arm from baseline to week 12

Etc:

And see below that the list of Long Covid clinical trials, in several countries, some now recruiting.

Edits: add link, remove boxes
 
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I think "Status: withdrawn" may mean its closed for further recruitment.

I think we need to know how a diagnosis of Alzheimers and its related dementias is confirmed. I don't trust psychological tests alone to diagnose such things. Too many overlaps and resemblances.

A neuro-cognitive impairment on top of a cognitive impairnent. 2 types of cognition measured by different tests.

No-one says the test subjects must be diagnosed with Alzheimers. But it is said that neuro-cognitive impairment due to Long Covid is a form of Alzheimers and its related dementias.

Neuro-cognitive impairment is being technically equated to Alzheimers and its related dementias - as if this type of impairment must be a neuro-degenerative disease.

So is this is a trial on Alzheimers and its dementias caused by Long Covid, as stated? Or is the neuro-cognitive impairment not necessarily degenerative?

Is Covid like a contact sport that can damage the brain? Prematurely? My government did not tell me that.

The authors may be misunderstanding what was said or confused about the context and associated role of the US National Institute on Aging.

I'm confused too. I read the trial summary several times. The 2 versions of its title refer to LC lung problems, or some selected LC brain problems which both impair cognition and - it is said - degenerate nerves.

The Vanderbilt subjects must all have both brain problems. So another site must be trialling the drug on the lung problems.
REVERSE-Long COVID: A Multicenter Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of Immunomodulation (With Baricitinib) for Long COVID Related Cognitive Impairment and ADRD (Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias)

REVERSE-LC is a phase 3 trial of baricitinib versus placebo in adults with neurocognitive impairment (a form of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias or ADRD) or cardiopulmonary symptoms due to Long COVID.

January 29, 2025 updated by: Wes Ely, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

If the authors are unaware of our type of variable cognitive dysfunction, they may naively be assuming that impaired cognition == neurodegeneration.

The authors and readers of the commentary may not be aware that the selected Long Covid subjects suffer both cognitive and neurocognitive malfunction of the brain.

The selected neuro-cognitive impairment can be variable if it started to "wax and wane" at least 60 days ago. But all subjects must be mentally competent, nevertheless.

I didn't clarify that all the eligibility criteria must be met
Eligibility:

Meet the following criteria for "Post-COVID Condition" or Long COVID:

* Cognitive impairment as defined by having at least 20% positive (worse or much worse) items on the ECOG assessment

* Neurocognitive symptoms must have been present for at least 60 days prior to screening. Symptoms that wax and wane must have been initially present at least 60 days prior to screening.

Exclusion:

* Severe cognitive, physical, or psychological disability that would prevent participation in the study

It is Wes Ely's job to correct any published distortion of Vanderbilt's work, maybe also inform the public what is the difference between cognitive and neuro-cognitive impairments.

And give his public the 18+ age range of so-called LC "dementias". We hear that in the old countries, the other side of the Atlantic, people are doorstepping their doctors complaining of memory problems, and the paediatric Dutch Long Covid is doubled already.

The everyday cognition is measured by an Everyday Cognition (ECog) scale.

The neuro-cognition (equated to a neuro-degenerative disease), is measured by a neuro-psychological test - the CNS Vital Signs Neurocognition Index cognitive battery.

I don't know that neuro-science would agree with neuro-psychology. And neuro-psychiatry. It is neuro-psychology saying: if it looks like dementia then it must be a neuro-degenerative disease.

The autopsies could have resolved this except the trial accepts subjects with previous cognitve impairment - if its got worse since Covid:

Exclusion: Pre-existing cognitive impairment not exacerbated by acute COVID as determined by study physicians after thorough review of participant's history and medical records

What if its similar but not the same. With ME / CFS I've been told its not brain damage. How did who determine that Long Covid is liable to brain damage? Did anyone check? Its a dreadful thing to say if its not true. Or are they just trialling cases of Alzheimers which caught Long Covid.

... ... with the primary objective of evaluating safety and efficacy of baricitinib versus placebo on objective neuropsychological outcomes in these individuals.

The secondary objective is to determine the effects on physical function, autonomic function, functional status and quality of life.

Did Peluso say that, or did the reporter make the mistake or is it my mistake, as it looks like the cognitions are determined as a secondary outcome, whereas the primary outcomes are only safety, compliance, diversity and randomisation (not efficacy). Diversity heh, ssSSSHUSHhh.
 
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