Episode 577: Brain Fog & Lyme Disease – How Dr. Jacqueline Becker Is Advancing Cognitive Recovery

What happens when Lyme disease affects the brain? Why do so many people with Lyme disease struggle with brain fog, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and mental fatigue—even after treatment? And how can researchers better understand, measure, and treat these persistent cognitive symptoms? In this episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Jacqueline Becker, clinical neuropsychologist, researcher, and Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Becker specializes in the cognitive effects of infection-associated chronic illnesses, including Lyme disease, Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), Long COVID, and ME/CFS. Drawing from both her clinical practice and groundbreaking research, Dr. Becker explains how neuropsychological testing provides objective ways to evaluate brain fog and cognitive dysfunction. She discusses why patients deserve validation for symptoms that are often invisible, how cognitive rehabilitation differs from commercial brain retraining programs, and why improving research methods is essential for developing more effective treatments. The conversation also explores the growing collaboration between researchers studying Lyme disease and Long COVID, revealing how these conditions may share biological mechanisms that could lead to future breakthroughs benefiting millions of patients. Whether you're living with Lyme disease, caring for someone experiencing cognitive symptoms, or interested in the future of neuroscience and infection-associated chronic illness research, this episode offers practical insights and hope grounded in science. What You'll Learn Why brain fog is one of the most common and disabling symptoms of Lyme disease. How neuropsychologists objectively measure memory, attention, processing speed, and executive functioning. The similarities between Lyme disease, Long COVID, and other infection-associated chronic illnesses. Why traditional clinical trials often struggle to capture the complexity of persistent Lyme symptoms. How improved research design could accelerate the development of new diagnostics and treatments. The difference between evidence-based cognitive rehabilitation and commercial brain retraining programs. Why validating patients' experiences is critical for advancing both research and clinical care. In This Episode Matt Sabatello, Tick Boot Camp Co-Founder, and Dr. Becker discuss: Dr. Becker's journey into neuropsychology and cognitive research How Lyme disease can affect the brain Understanding brain fog beyond subjective symptoms Neuropsychological testing and cognitive assessment Memory, attention, language, and executive functioning Infection-Associated Chronic Illnesses (IACI) The overlap between Lyme disease, Long COVID, and ME/CFS Cognitive rehabilitation and neuroplasticity The blood-brain barrier and emerging neuroscience Improving Lyme disease research through better study design The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration Hope for the future of cognitive recovery after infection About Dr. Jacqueline Becker Dr. Jacqueline Becker is a clinical neuropsychologist, researcher, and Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She specializes in the evaluation and treatment of cognitive dysfunction associated with Lyme disease, Long COVID, ME/CFS, and other infection-associated chronic illnesses. Her research focuses on improving the scientific understanding of persistent cognitive symptoms while developing better methods for measuring outcomes and advancing patient-centered care. Resources & Links Listen to more Tick Boot Camp Podcast episodes Explore more interviews with Lyme-literate doctors Read the Tick Boot Camp Blog About Tick Boot Camp Tick Boot Camp is dedicated to helping people liberate themselves and others from Lyme disease and tick-borne illness through education, validation, and community. By bringing together leading physicians, researchers, advocates, and patients, we provide trusted information and inspiring stories that remind listeners healing is possible and no one has to face Lyme disease alone.