Tag: anterior cingulate cortex

Post-COVID cognitive deficits at one year are global and associated with elevated brain injury markers and grey matter volume reduction: national prospective study

Abstract:

The spectrum, pathophysiology, and recovery trajectory of persistent post-COVID-19 cognitive deficits are unknown, limiting our ability to develop prevention and treatment strategies. We report the one-year cognitive, serum biomarker, and neuroimaging findings from a prospective, national longitudinal study of cognition in 351 COVID-19 patients who had required hospitalisation, compared to 2,927 normative matched controls.

Cognitive deficits were global and associated with elevated brain injury markers and reduced anterior cingulate cortex volume one year after admission. The severity of the initial infective insult, post-acute psychiatric symptoms, and a history of encephalopathy were associated with greatest deficits. There was strong concordance between subjective and objective cognitive deficits. Treatment with corticosteroids during the acute phase appeared protective against cognitive deficits. Together, these findings support the hypothesis that brain injury in moderate to severe COVID-19 is immune-mediated, and should guide the development of therapeutic strategies.

Source: Benedict Michael, Greta Wood, Brendan Sargent et al. Post-COVID cognitive deficits at one year are global and associated with elevated brain injury markers and grey matter volume reduction: national prospective study, 05 January 2024, PREPRINT (Version 1) available at Research Square [https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3818580/v1] https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-3818580/v1 (Full text)

Cognitive impairment after Long COVID-19: Current Evidence and Perspectives

Abstract:

COVID-19 is a respiratory infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most patients recover after treatment, but COVID-19 treatment may lead to cognitive impairment. Recent studies have found that some recoverers experience cognitive impairments such as decreased memory and attention, and sleep disorder, indicating that COVID-19 may have longerterm effects on cognitive function.

Studies have found that COVID-19 may cause cognitive decline by damaging key brain regions such as the hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex. Studies have also found that COVID-19 patients have active neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and microglial activation, suggesting that neuroinflammation, mitochondrial stress, and neurodegenerative changes may be potential mechanisms leading to cognitive impairment.

In summary, the possibility of cognitive impairment after COVID-19 treatment deserves close attention. Large-scale follow-up studies will help further explore the impact of COVID-19 on cognitive function and provide evidence to support clinical treatment and rehabilitation practices. Neuropathological and biological studies can explore precise mechanisms in-depth and provide a theoretical basis for prevention, treatment, and intervention research.

Given the risks of long-term COVID-19 and reinfection, it is necessary to integrate basic and clinical research data to maximize the maintenance of patient’s cognitive function and life quality. This also provides important experience in responding to similar public health events. This article integrates clinical and basic evidence of cognitive impairment after COVID-19 and discusses potential mechanisms and future research directions.

Source: Zhi-Tao Li, ZHANG ZHEN, Zhuoya Zhang, Zhi-Yong Wang, Hao Li. Cognitive impairment after Long COVID-19: Current Evidence and Perspectives. Front. Neurol. Sec. Neuroinfectious Diseases. Volume 14 – 2023 | doi: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1239182 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2023.1239182/abstract