HEALTH
The latest research, published in the journal Cortex, is the first to report prosopagnosia, or face blindness, following symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
Many health disorders might result from Long Covid or post Covid conditions, which has confounded scientists all over the world. While some of these symptoms are simple to treat, others can be challenging. A person's quality of life may be impacted by a variety of symptoms that may remain for at least three months following infection. These symptoms include fatigue, sadness, anxiety, headaches, and certain cardiac issues.
Many symptoms may appear in people with Post-Covid disorders and may persist for weeks, months, or even years after infection. According to the CDC, the symptoms may occasionally even disappear or reappear.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke defines face blindness as a "neurological disorder characterised by the inability to recognise faces".
A neurological condition called prosopagnosia, referred as face blindness or facial agnosia, is characterised by an inability to recognise faces. The terms "face" and "lack of information" are the source of the phrase.
Prolonged symptoms of COVID-19 may be associated with difficulty recognising faces, a little-known condition called face blindness, and navigational problems, according to a study.
The latest research, published in the journal Cortex, is the first to report prosopagnosia, or face blindness, following symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
The condition that can make people fail to recognise familiar faces, has been estimated to affect between 2 and 2.5 per cent of people in the world.
The researchers assessed the case of Annie, a 28-year-old customer service representative and part-time portrait artist in the US, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 in March 2020 and suffered a symptom relapse two months later.
"When I first met Annie, she told me that she was unable to recognise the faces of her family," said Marie-Luise Kieseler, a graduate student at Dartmouth College in the US, adding Annie now relies on voices to recognise people.
Annie also experienced navigational deficits after having COVID-19. She has had difficulty remembering where particular sections in her grocery store are and relies on Google maps and its pin function to remember where she parks her car.
"The combination of prosopagnosia and navigational deficits that Annie had is something that caught our attention because the two deficits often go hand in hand after somebody either has had brain damage or developmental deficits," said study senior author Brad Duchaine, a professor at Dartmouth.
"That co-occurrence is probably due to the two abilities depending on neighbouring brain regions in the temporal lobe," Duchaine said in a statement.
Dr. Vinit Suri, Senior Consultant, Neurology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi noted that the exact mechanisms by which long Covid may cause face blindness are not yet fully understood, but there are several possible explanations.
"Firstly, long Covid can cause a range of neurological symptoms which may affect the brain regions responsible for face recognition, causing difficulty in processing visual information and recognising familiar faces," Suri told PTI.
"Secondly, Covid-19 can cause inflammation and damage to the blood vessels, which can lead to reduced blood flow to the brain. This can cause brain damage and cognitive impairments, including face blindness," he added.
The research team conducted a series of tests with Annie to evaluate her problems with face recognition and determine whether she also has difficulties with other perceptual or cognitive abilities.
In one test, Annie was sequentially presented with 60 images of celebrity faces and was asked to name them. Annie correctly identified 29 per cent of the 48 celebrities whom she was familiar with as compared to most people, who can correctly identify 84 per cent of familiar celebrities.
The second test was a doppelganger test. Annie was shown a celebrity's name and then presented with images of two faces: the face of a celebrity and that of someone similar, and was then asked to identify which face was the famous person.
She identified the celebrity in 69 per cent of the 58 trials, as compared to 87 per cent in the control group.
"Our results from the test with unfamiliar faces show that it wasn't just that Annie couldn't recall the name or biographical information of a famous person that she was familiar with, but she really has trouble learning new identities," said Kieseler.
The research team also obtained self-reported data from 54 individuals who had long COVID with symptoms for 12 weeks or more, and 32 persons who had reported that they had fully recovered from COVID-19.
Most respondents with long COVID reported that their cognitive and perceptual abilities had decreased since they had COVID.
"It was not just a small concentration of really impaired cases but a broad majority of people in the long COVID group reported noticeable difficulties doing things that they were able to do before contracting COVID-19 without any problems," Kieseler said.
"Our study highlights the sorts of perceptual problems with face recognition and navigation that can be caused by COVID-19 -- it is something that people should be aware of, especially physicians and other health care professionals," Duchaine added.
Dr. Atul Prasad, Principal Director & HOD Neurology, BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi said this is the first report of long COVID-causing prosopagnosia.
"The more we study the virus, the more we realise how much damage it can cause during acute infection and now after infection has settled," Prasad told PTI.
Suri noted that that not all people with long Covid will develop face blindness, and the severity and duration of symptoms can vary widely.
"Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between long Covid and face blindness and to develop effective treatments and interventions for those affected," he added.
(with inputs from PTI)
Ranji Trophy: Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant named as probables in Delhi squad, but...
Ranbir Kapoor, Raha Kapoor's playtime is the best thing on the internet today; watch
Mahakumbh 2025: Air India announces new daily flight to Prayagraj from THIS city; check details
Manu Bhaker's Paris Olympics Bronze medals to be replaced due to THIS reason
Sara Ali Khan refrained from THIS while preparing for Sky Force
Paatal Lok 2 star Jaideep Ahlawat's father passes away, actor reaches Delhi for last rites
Video shows Tamil Nadu student cleaning school toilet, principal suspended
Ex-trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar's NEW move days after Delhi HC denied bail, she has now...
Top Airlines For International Flights From India With Travanya
The SAT Rises in Popularity A 2025 Perspective
'In kafiron ko jaldi...': Former Indian cricketer's BIG revelation about Pakistan player's comment
Sidharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani make stylish appearance at airport, jet off ahead of his birthday
Bengaluru Power Cut on January 16 Thursday: Over 100 areas to be affected; check timings, localities
Big trouble for Meta after Mark Zuckerberg's claim on India elections, to face...
'Wahiyat film': Yuvraj Singh's father Yograj Singh on Aamir Khan's Taare Zameen Par
Rasha Thadani REACTS to comparison with Janhvi Kapoor, Khushi Kapoor, Suhana Khan: 'They are all...'
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance enters Maha Kumbh 2025, opens...
Meet woman, Saudi Arabia princess, who has created history in the world of yoga, she is...
This 100-year-old decaying train transformed into luxurious hotel, brings up to Rs...
Meet man, who once worked at Mukesh Ambani's company, has now joined...
Prabhas looks dapper in kurta in new poster of The Raja Saab unveiled on Pongal, Makar Sankranti
PV Sindhu shares valuable lesson on financial planning after Vinod Kambli's struggles
Good news for Gautam Adani as Adani Group stocks surge, Adani Power, Adani Green jump by...
From surgical training to research writing: How specialized medical skills bridge the gap
Delhi CA faces widespread criticism for refusing maid Rs 1,000 raise, watch her viral LinkedIn post
What is Jallikattu? The centuries old Tamilian festival which carries prize of Rs 11 lakh
PM Modi launches 'Mission Mausam', stresses need for advanced earthquake warning systems
BCCI's new STRICT rule to come as a setback for wives, families of players? Report claims...
Game Changer box office collection day 4: Ram Charan, Shankar film sees huge drop; earns just Rs...
Cash-strapped Pakistan wants Elon Musk to come to its rescue, seeks help amid...
Los Angeles Wildfires Latest Update: 25 dead, 92,000 people under evacuation
Where is UPSC AIR 1 topper IAS Tina Dabi these days? Know her current posting
Inside Ranbir Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor’s cousin Aadar Jain's white wedding to Alekha Advani in Goa
Kiran Rao opens up about her relationship with Aamir Khan after divorce: 'His mother is still...'
Republic Day 2025: Is it 76th or 77th Republic Day? Know here
Tesla CEO Elon Musk set to buy TikTok? Here's what we know so far
BTS Jungkook: THESE 10 Things Makes Golden Maknae feel alive and happy
Makar Sankranti Bank Holiday: Will banks remain closed today? Check city-wise list here
Happy Makar Sankranti 2025: Best wishes, WhatsApp messages, quotes to share with your loved ones
DNA TV Show: Row over Mulayam Singh Yadav's statue in Maha Kumbh 2025
WATCH: Retired IAS officer assaulted by bus conductor over Rs 10, here's what happened
This city in UP won't give fuel to these riders from January 26, because...
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance teams up with THIS Chinese company that has become popular for...
Yami Gautam to make her comeback post-motherhood with a film based on Shah Bano case, deets inside
NTA postpones UGC-NET exam scheduled for January 15 due to...
Empowering Connected Future: Sri Bhargav Krishna Adusumilli’s Insights on AI, Blockchain and Society
Mahakumbh Mela 2025 to give MASSIVE economic boom, 45 crore devotees to generate Rs...
Aashiqui 3: Anurag Basu clears the air around Triptii Dimri's exit from Kartik Aaryan's film
IDFC FIRST Bank goes live on Direct Tax Collection System of CBDT
Tamil actor Jayam Ravi urges fans to address him by his birth name Ravi Mohan, here's why
Earthquake of magnitude 6.9 shakes southwestern Japan, govt issues tsunami warnings
Baazigar Meena credits time management and discipline as keys to success
BIG achievement by Mukesh Ambani, Reliance Jio becomes first telecom operator to deliver...
Mahakumbh Mela 2025: Man asks questions to baba, gets beaten up with tongs, WATCH hilarious video
Black Warrant review: Zahan Kapoor shines in Vikramaditya Motwane's Netflix jail drama
Weather Update: IMD issues alert for heavy rainfall, very dense fog in THESE states, check here
This state govt has announced monthly pension of Rs 20000, free medical treatment for persons who...
Ranbir Kapoor's Dhoom 4 to have two female leads? Shooting to begin from...
Cash-strapped Pakistan discovers 28 lakh tolas of gold worth this HUGE amount
Mom-to-be Athiya Shetty's pregnancy glow is unmissable in latest pics with KL Rahul
Anushka Sharma spotted in leopard-print denim as she returns from Alibaug with Virat Kohli
Mahakumbh Mela 2025: Beautiful woman left modern life and turned sadhvi, here's why
'Jaise koi aurat...: Yuvraj Singh’s father Yograj Singh mocks Hindi language with sexist remark
Big update on Meerut Metro, NCRTC shares details on trial runs, check here
'So uncomfortable to watch': Varun Dhawan's old kissing video with Nargis Fakhri sparks trolling
Makar Sankranti to Pongal: How India celebrates the harvest festivals?