We have all been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in obvious ways. As many of us prepare to celebrate the holiday season with family, friends, and colleagues in a way that was not possible over the last couple of years, it certainly seems like the worst is behind us.
However, a recent study suggests that there may be long-term capacity-related implications of severe COVID cases, on both younger and older population groups, with changes to the brain similar to those seen with old age. An article in Scientific American reports that individuals with severe COVID have exhibited an increase in genes tied to stress and inflammation and less activity associated with genes related to cognition and brain cell interaction, like what often happens in brains of older individuals who suffer from cognitive difficulties. It is expected to take years to confirm whether the brain changes being observed are directly connected to COVID or other medical issues that may render individuals more susceptible to infection.
Whether COVID-19 will have any significant impact on general trends of increasing rates of dementia and other age-related cognitive decline as our population ages remains to be seen. As one of over 4.4 million Canadians who has had COVID, I for one hope that the scientists behind this study will be proved wrong with time. However, it is possible that the impact of COVID on cognitive decline will further complicate the role of the lawyer in assessing the capacity of clients of all ages to retain us, provide instructions, and/or execute wills or other testamentary documents.
Have a great weekend,
Nick Esterbauer
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