Long-Lasting Cognitive Abnormalities after COVID-19

Abstract

Considering the mechanisms capable of causing brain alterations in COVID-19, we aimed to study the occurrence of cognitive abnormalities in the months following hospital discharge. We recruited 38 (aged 22–74 years; 27 males) patients hospitalized for complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection in nonintensive COVID units. Participants underwent neuropsychological testing about 5 months after hospital discharge. Of all patients, 42.1% had processing speed deficits, while 26.3% showed delayed verbal recall deficits. Twenty-one percent presented with deficits in both processing speed and verbal memory. Bivariate analysis revealed a positive correlation between the lowest arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) to fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2) (P/F) ratio during hospitalization and verbal memory consolidation performance (SRT-LTS score, r = 0.404, p = 0.027), as well as a positive correlation between SpO2 levels upon hospital arrival and delayed verbal recall performance (SRT-D score, rs = 0.373, p = 0.042). Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) during hospitalization was associated with worse verbal memory performance (ARDS vs. no ARDS: SRT-LTS mean score = 30.63 ± 13.33 vs. 44.50 ± 13.16, p = 0.007; SRT-D mean score = 5.95 ± 2.56 vs. 8.10 ± 2.62, p = 0.029). Cognitive abnormalities can frequently be found in COVID-19 patients 5 months after hospital discharge. Increased fatigability, deficits of concentration and memory, and overall decreased cognitive speed months after hospital discharge can interfere with work and daily activities.

Physical Activity during COVID-19 Lockdown: Data from an Italian Survey

“…These results might be related to the ability of PA to improve immune system activity and efficiency [ 23 ] and reduce inflammation [ 24 ]. Reducing COVID-19 hospitalization rates should become a priority, as recent evidence suggest that patients hospitalized for COVID-19 tend to exhibit lasting cognitive impairment in the months following hospital discharge [ 25 ].…”

Neuropsychological & Cognitive Sequelae in COVID-19 Patients

“…[1] Preliminary results from the current pandemic suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection also negatively impacts neuropsychological function in COVID-19 convalescents. [2] Those processes shown to be adversely affected include sustained attention, memory, working memory, cognitive fl exibility and verbal fl uency.…”

Transtornos Cognitivos Em Pacientes Infectados Com Covid-19: Uma Revisão Narrativa

“…Also, the scores of 60.5% of the sample were below the normative cutoffs in at least one task of the BRB-NT, approximately 36.8% of the patients had deficits in at least two tasks, 26.3% had deficits in at least three tasks, and 15.8% had deficits in four or more tasks. 10 Of the total patients, 42.1% had deficits in processing speed, 26.3% had delayed verbal memory deficits, and 10.5% had immediate verbal memory deficits. The long-term visual memory was impaired in 18.4% of the patients, and the short-term visual memory was impaired in 15.8%.…”

“…The cognitive functioning was assessed with the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests (BRB-NT). Also, the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)to assess whether the depressive symptoms negatively affect cognitive performanceand the Subjective Scale of Damage (SSD) were conducted 10.…”