Researchers have uncovered a link between COVID-19 and blood markers linked to faulty proteins in the brain.

In an analysis led by researchers at Imperial College London and the UK Dementia Research Institute, scientists found that people who had previously had COVID-19 were more likely to have increased levels of biomarkers linked to faulty amyloid proteins – a known hallmark for Alzheimer’s disease.

On average, the effects were comparable to four years of ageing with the greatest effects seen in those hospitalised with severe COVID-19 or with underlying risk factors for dementia such as smoking or high blood pressure.

According to the researchers, the findings suggest that mild or moderate COVID-19 may accelerate biological processes that contribute to the buildup of disease-promoting amyloid in the brain. The new results raise the possibility that COVID-19 might contribute to an increase in later risks of developing Alzheimer’s disease.