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The University of Exeter's Beacon Project is pioneering a novel approach to tackle the debilitating effects of brain fog in long COVID patients.

Leveraging the brain's innate problem-solving capabilities, researchers aim to harness the therapeutic potential of computer games to enhance memory and cognition, offering a glimmer of hope to individuals grappling with persistent post-viral symptoms.

Amidst the global prevalence of long COVID, affecting an estimated two million individuals worldwide, the project emerges as a beacon of innovation in the quest for effective interventions.

With a staggering 80% of long COVID patients reporting memory problems, the urgency to address this pervasive issue underscores the significance of the study's endeavors.

Participants in the study engage in brain-training games accessible via an app or website over six months, with measures of accuracy and reaction time serving as pivotal indicators of cognitive improvement.

The initial findings, slated for release by the end of 2024, hold the promise of illuminating pathways toward ameliorating cognitive deficits associated with long COVID.

Tamsin Perrett, a participant in the study, shares her harrowing experience of battling long COVID, recounting bouts of illness compounded by debilitating symptoms such as brain fog and vertigo.

"I remember thinking I was much better, then being in the car with my son in the back and suddenly realizing... it was like the world had gone flat," Perrett recalled according to the BBC.

"I couldn't tell where the horizon line was and, obviously, just had to pull over and stop. But it was really disorientating."

For Perrett, the prospect of reclaiming cognitive clarity through innovative interventions represents a beacon of hope amidst the uncertainty of post-viral recovery.

Professor Anne Corbett, leading the pioneering study, emphasizes the multifaceted nature of addressing long COVID's cognitive sequelae, highlighting the imperative for comprehensive strategies tailored to individual needs.

"Beacon [Project] is about whether we can use an accessible computer program to help improve their brain, health and get them back to where they want to be," Corbett explained.

While computer games offer a promising avenue for cognitive enhancement, Corbett underscores the complexity of long COVID challenges, advocating for a multifaceted approach to effect meaningful change.