Tag: cognitive decline

Natural and Semi-Synthetic Flavonoid Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Agents for the Treatment of Long COVID-19 Disease and Neurodegenerative Disorders of Cognitive Decline

Abstract:

The aim of this review is to highlight the beneficial attributes of flavonoids, a diverse family of widely-distributed polyphenolic phytochemicals that have beneficial cell and tissue protective properties. Phytochemicals are widely distributed in plants, herbs and shrubs used in traditional complimentary medical formulations for centuries. The bioactive components that convey beneficial medicinal effects in these complex herbal preparations are now being identified using network pharmacology and molecular docking procedures that identify their molecular targets. Flavonoids have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial and anti-cancer properties that have inspired the development of potent multifunctional derivatised flavonoids of improved efficacy.

The antiviral properties of flavonoids and the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has resulted in a resurgence of interest in phytochemicals in the search for efficacious compounds that can prevent viral infection or replication, with many promising plant compounds identified. Promising semi-synthetic flavonoid derivatives have also been developed that inhibit multiple pathological neurodegenerative processes; these offer considerable promise in the treatment of diseases of cognitive decline. Clinical trials are currently being undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of dietary supplements rich in flavonoids for the treatment of virally-mediated diseases. Such trials are expected to identify flavonoids with cell and tissue protective properties that can be harnessed in biomedical applications that may serve as supportive adjunctive procedures to conventional anti-viral drug therapies against diseases such as COVID-19.

Source: Melrose J, Smith MM. Natural and Semi-Synthetic Flavonoid Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Agents for the Treatment of Long COVID-19 Disease and Neurodegenerative Disorders of Cognitive Decline. Front Biosci (Elite Ed). 2022 Oct 9;14(4):27. doi: 10.31083/j.fbe1404027. PMID: 36575843.  https://www.imrpress.com/journal/FBE/14/4/10.31083/j.fbe1404027/htm (Full text)

Brain fog of post-COVID-19 condition and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, same medical disorder?

Abstract:

Background: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is characterized by persistent physical and mental fatigue. The post-COVID-19 condition patients refer physical fatigue and cognitive impairment sequelae. Given the similarity between both conditions, could it be the same pathology with a different precipitating factor?

Objective: To describe the cognitive impairment, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and general symptomatology in both groups, to find out if it is the same pathology. As well as verify if the affectation of smell is related to cognitive deterioration in patients with post-COVID-19 condition.

Methods: The sample included 42 ME/CFS and 73 post-COVID-19 condition patients. Fatigue, sleep quality, anxiety and depressive symptoms, the frequency and severity of different symptoms, olfactory function and a wide range of cognitive domains were evaluated.

Results: Both syndromes are characterized by excessive physical fatigue, sleep problems and myalgia. Sustained attention and processing speed were impaired in 83.3% and 52.4% of ME/CFS patients while in post-COVID-19 condition were impaired in 56.2% and 41.4% of patients, respectively. Statistically significant differences were found in sustained attention and visuospatial ability, being the ME/CFS group who presented the worst performance. Physical problems and mood issues were the main variables correlating with cognitive performance in post-COVID-19 patients, while in ME/CFS it was anxiety symptoms and physical fatigue.

Conclusions: The symptomatology and cognitive patterns were similar in both groups, with greater impairment in ME/CFS. This disease is characterized by greater physical and neuropsychiatric problems compared to post-COVID-19 condition. Likewise, we also propose the relevance of prolonged hyposmia as a possible marker of cognitive deterioration in patients with post-COVID-19.

Source: Azcue N, Gómez-Esteban JC, Acera M, Tijero B, Fernandez T, Ayo-Mentxakatorre N, Pérez-Concha T, Murueta-Goyena A, Lafuente JV, Prada Á, López de Munain A, Ruiz-Irastorza G, Ribacoba L, Gabilondo I, Del Pino R. Brain fog of post-COVID-19 condition and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, same medical disorder? J Transl Med. 2022 Dec 6;20(1):569. doi: 10.1186/s12967-022-03764-2. PMID: 36474290. https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-022-03764-2 (Full text)

Challenges of memory enhancers

Abstract:

40 per cent of people over the age of 65 experience some form of memory loss, called as the age related memory impairment. This might be due to hormone and proteins (Growth factors) which repair the brain cells decline with age. Certain conditions such as age, stress, disease and excessive emotional response may lead to loss of memory, loss of learning ability and altered mood and behaviour. These conditions may be treated by using nootropic agents which can help to improve learning abilities and memory.

Source: Chaudhry, Sunil. Challenges of memory enhancers. Annals of Geriatric Education and Medical Sciences; 2020/08/22. https://www.agems.in/article-details/11990 (Full text)

Cognitive sequelae of long COVID may not be permanent. A prospective study

Abstract:

Background and purpose: Cognitive decline is a recognized manifestation of long COVID, even among patients who experience mild disease. However, there is no evidence regarding the length of cognitive decline in these patients. This study aimed to assess whether COVID-19-related cognitive decline is a permanent deficit or if it improves over time.

Methods: Cognitive performance was evaluated by means of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in COVID-19 survivors and noninfected individuals. All study participants had four cognitive evaluations, two of them before the pandemic and the other two, 6 and 18 months after the initial SARS-CoV-2 outbreak infection in the village. Linear mixed effects models for longitudinal data were fitted to assess differences in cognitive performance across COVID-19 survivors and noninfected individuals.

Results: The study included 78 participants, 50 with history of mild COVID-19 and 28 without. There was a significant-likely age-related-decline in MoCA scores between the two prepandemic tests (β = -1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -2.14 to -0.92, p < 0.001), which did not differ across individuals who later developed COVID-19 when compared to noninfected individuals. Six months after infection, only COVID-19 survivors had a significant decline in MoCA scores (β = -1.37, 95% CI = -2.14 to -0.61, p < 0.001), which reversed after 1 additional year of follow-up (β = 0.66, 95% CI = -0.11 to 1.42, p = 0.092). No differences were noticed among noninfected individuals when both postpandemic MoCA scores were compared.

Conclusions: Study results suggest that long COVID-related cognitive decline may spontaneously improve over time.

Source: Del Brutto OH, Rumbea DA, Recalde BY, Mera RM. Cognitive sequelae of long COVID may not be permanent: A prospective study. Eur J Neurol. 2021 Dec 16. doi: 10.1111/ene.15215. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34918425. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34918425/

The impact of chronic fatigue syndrome on cognitive functioning in adolescents

Abstract:

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by persistent fatigue and severe disability. Most adolescent patients report attention and concentration problems, with subsequent poor performance at school. This study investigated the impact of CFS on intellectual capacity by (1) assessing discrepancies between current intelligence quotient (IQ) and school level and (2) exploring differences in current IQ and pre-CFS school performance, compared with healthy individuals. Current data was cross-sectionally gathered and compared with retrospective pre-CFS school performance data. Fifty-nine CFS adolescents and 40 controls were evaluated on performance on age-appropriate intelligence tests and school level. Current IQ scores of CFS adolescents were lower than expected on the basis of their school level. Furthermore, there was a difference in intelligence performance across time when current IQ scores were compared with pre-CFS cognitive achievement. Healthy controls did not show any discrepancies.

CONCLUSION: According to their pre-CFS intelligence assessments, CFS patients started with appropriate secondary school levels at the age of 12. Our data suggest that CFS may be accompanied by a decline in general cognitive functioning. Given the critical age for intellectual development, we recommend a timely diagnosis followed by appropriate treatment of CFS in adolescents.

WHAT IS KNOWN: Adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating condition with major impact on social and intellectual development. Most patients report concentration problems, with subsequent poor performance at school. Little is known about the influence of CFS on intellectual performances.

WHAT IS NEW: IQ scores of CFS adolescents are lower than the IQ scores of healthy peers with an equivalent school level. There is a decrease in intelligence performance across time when current IQ scores are compared with pre-CFS cognitive achievement. Healthy controls do not show any discrepancies between their current IQ, school level and previous cognitive functioning. This suggest that adolescent CFS may be accompanied by a decline in general cognitive functioning.

 

Source: Nijhof LN, Nijhof SL, Bleijenberg G, Stellato RK, Kimpen JL, Hulshoff Pol HE, van de Putte EM. The impact of chronic fatigue syndrome on cognitive functioning in adolescents. Eur J Pediatr. 2016 Feb;175(2):245-52. doi: 10.1007/s00431-015-2626-1. Epub 2015 Sep 3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4724362/ (Full article)