Cognitive and Functional Connectivity Impairment in Post-COVID-19 Olfactory Dysfunction

Muccioli, Lorenzo; Sighinolfi, Giovanni; Mitolo, Micaela; Ferri, Lorenzo; Rochat, Magali Jane; Pensato, Umberto; Taruffi, Lisa; Testa, Claudia; Masullo, Massimiliano; Cortelli, Pietro; Lodi, Raffaele; Liguori, Rocco; Tonon, Caterina; Bisulli, Francesca

doi:10.2139/ssrn.4264782

Cited by 4 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Another structural connectivity study reported reduced integration and increased segregation within the olfactory system ( Bispo et al, 2023 ). Assessment using resting-state fMRI revealed increased functional connectivity within the olfactory system in long-COVID patients ( Thunell et al, 2022 ), with more elaborate studies reporting increased segregation of regions within the olfactory system ( Esposito et al, 2022 , Muccioli et al, 2023 ), in line with the structural connectivity study by Bispo et al ( Bispo et al, 2023 ). Interestingly, structural clinical MRI measures that were also obtained in these connectivity studies failed to distinguish COVID-19 patients from healthy controls ( Esposito et al, 2022 , Thunell et al, 2022 , Muccioli et al, 2023 ).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 62%

On the merits and potential of advanced neuroimaging techniques in COVID-19: A scoping review

van der Knaap,

Ariës,

van der Horst

et al. 2024

NeuroImage: Clinical

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 62%

On the merits and potential of advanced neuroimaging techniques in COVID-19: A scoping review

van der Knaap,

Ariës,

van der Horst

et al. 2024

NeuroImage: Clinical

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“…The results showed that the connectivity strength of the default network was weakened in the former group. The connectivity of the executive control network and emotional regulation network also changed (33). This suggests that COVID-19 can remodel brain functional networks and affect brain functional connectivity closely related to cognitive function.…”

Section: Evidence Of Post-covid Cognitive Impairment: Neuropsychologi...mentioning

confidence: 90%

Cognitive impairment after long COVID-19: current evidence and perspectives

Li,

Zhang,

Zhang

et al. 2023

Front. Neurol.

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COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is a respiratory infectious disease. While most patients recover after treatment, there is growing evidence that COVID-19 may result in cognitive impairment. Recent studies reveal that some individuals experience cognitive deficits, such as diminished memory and attention, as well as sleep disturbances, suggesting that COVID-19 could have long-term effects on cognitive function. Research indicates that COVID-19 may contribute to cognitive decline by damaging crucial brain regions, including the hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex. Additionally, studies have identified active neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and microglial activation in COVID-19 patients, implying that these factors may be potential mechanisms leading to cognitive impairment. Given these findings, the possibility of cognitive impairment following COVID-19 treatment warrants careful consideration. Large-scale follow-up studies are needed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on cognitive function and offer evidence to support clinical treatment and rehabilitation practices. In-depth neuropathological and biological studies can elucidate precise mechanisms and provide a theoretical basis for prevention, treatment, and intervention research. Considering the risks of the long-term effects of COVID-19 and the possibility of reinfection, it is imperative to integrate basic and clinical research data to optimize the preservation of patients' cognitive function and quality of life. This integration will also offer valuable insights for responding to similar public health events in the future. This perspective article synthesizes clinical and basic evidence of cognitive impairment following COVID-19, discussing potential mechanisms and outlining future research directions.

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“…47 Those patients with persistent COVID-19-related anosmia showed altered olfactory network connectivity correlated with hyposmia severity and neuropsychological performance. 48 Also, memory and mood disturbances in long-COVID patients with mild or moderate disease correlated with hyposmia or ageusia. 49 Our findings build upon prior research by indicating that the presence of anosmia during the acute phase, despite transient symptoms, indicates possible brain alterations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Patients Recovering from COVID-19 who Presented Anosmia During their Acute Episode have Behavioral, Functional, and Structural Brain Alterations

Kausel,

Figueroa-Vargas,

Zamorano

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Patients recovering from COVID-19 commonly exhibit cognitive and brain alterations, yet the specific neuropathological mechanisms and risk factors that underlie these alterations remain elusive. Given the significant global incidence of COVID-19, identifying factors that can distinguish individuals at risk of developing medium or long-term brain alterations is crucial for prioritizing follow-up care. Here, we report findings from a sample of 100 patients who were affected by a respiratory infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. This sample comprised 73 adults with a mild to moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection (who did not require invasive ventilatory assistance) and 27 with infections attributed to other agents and no history of COVID-19. The participants underwent cognitive screening, a decision-making task to measure cognitive flexibility, and magnetic resonance imaging evaluations. We assessed two clinical factors during infection: the presence of anosmia and the requirement for hospitalization due to respiratory symptoms. Groups did not differ in age or cognitive performance, but clinical factors differentially affected task performance. Patients who presented anosmia during the acute episode exhibited more impulsive changes in alternatives after a shift in probabilities in the decision-making task, while patients who required hospitalization showed more perseverative choices. Interestingly, the presence of anosmia during SARS-CoV-2 infection correlated with several brain measures, including decreases in functional activity during the decision-making task, thinning of cortical thickness in parietal regions, and loss in white matter integrity in corticospinal tracts and parietal-thalamic fasciculi, among others. These results suggest that anosmia could be a risk factor for developing brain alterations after SARS-CoV-2 infection and may serve to identify at-risk populations for follow-up.

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Cognitive and Functional Connectivity Impairment in Post-COVID-19 Olfactory Dysfunction

Cited by 4 publications

References 21 publications

On the merits and potential of advanced neuroimaging techniques in COVID-19: A scoping review

On the merits and potential of advanced neuroimaging techniques in COVID-19: A scoping review

Cognitive impairment after long COVID-19: current evidence and perspectives

Patients Recovering from COVID-19 who Presented Anosmia During their Acute Episode have Behavioral, Functional, and Structural Brain Alterations

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