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Austin TA, Thomas ML, Lu M, Hodges CB, Darowski ES, Bergmans R, Parr S, Pickell D, Catazaro M, Lantrip C, Twamley EW. Meta-analysis of Cognitive Function Following Non-severe SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Neuropsychol Rev 2024:10.1007/s11065-024-09642-6. [PMID: 38862725 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-024-09642-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
To effectively diagnose and treat subjective cognitive symptoms in post-acute sequalae of COVID-19 (PASC), it is important to understand objective cognitive impairment across the range of acute COVID-19 severity. Despite the importance of this area of research, to our knowledge, there are no current meta-analyses of objective cognitive functioning following non-severe initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of this meta-analysis is to describe objective cognitive impairment in individuals with non-severe (mild or moderate) SARS-CoV-2 cases in the post-acute stage of infection. This meta-analysis was pre-registered with Prospero (CRD42021293124) and utilized the PRISMA checklist for reporting guidelines, with screening conducted by at least two independent reviewers for all aspects of the screening and data extraction process. Fifty-nine articles (total participants = 22,060) with three types of study designs met our full criteria. Individuals with non-severe (mild/moderate) initial SARS-CoV-2 infection demonstrated worse objective cognitive performance compared to healthy comparison participants. However, those with mild (nonhospitalized) initial SARS-CoV-2 infections had better objective cognitive performance than those with moderate (hospitalized but not requiring ICU care) or severe (hospitalized with ICU care) initial SARS-CoV-2 infections. For studies that used normative data comparisons instead of healthy comparison participants, there was a small and nearly significant effect when compared to normative data. There were high levels of heterogeneity (88.6 to 97.3%), likely reflecting small sample sizes and variations in primary study methodology. Individuals who have recovered from non-severe cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections may be at risk for cognitive decline or impairment and may benefit from cognitive health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara A Austin
- The VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, 4800 Memorial Drive, Waco, TX, 76711, USA.
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Michael L Thomas
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, USA
| | - Min Lu
- University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Cooper B Hodges
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | | | - Rachel Bergmans
- Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sarah Parr
- The VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, 4800 Memorial Drive, Waco, TX, 76711, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - Delaney Pickell
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Mikayla Catazaro
- The VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, 4800 Memorial Drive, Waco, TX, 76711, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - Crystal Lantrip
- The VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, 4800 Memorial Drive, Waco, TX, 76711, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - Elizabeth W Twamley
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
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2
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Panagea E, Messinis L, Petri MC, Liampas I, Anyfantis E, Nasios G, Patrikelis P, Kosmidis M. Neurocognitive Impairment in Long COVID: A Systematic Review. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2024:acae042. [PMID: 38850628 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acae042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is primarily a respiratory infectious disease, it has also been associated with a wide range of other clinical manifestations. It is widely accepted in the scientific community that many patients after recovery continue to experience COVID-19-related symptoms, including cognitive impairment. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the cognitive profile of patients with long-COVID syndrome. METHODS A systematic search of empirical studies was conducted through the PubMed/Medline and Scopus electronic databases. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies published between 2020 and 2023 were included. RESULTS Of the 516 studies assessed for eligibility, 36 studies met the inclusion criteria. All included studies support the presence of persistent cognitive changes after COVID-19 disease. Executive function, memory, attention, and processing speed appear to be the cognitive domains that are predominantly associated with long-COVID syndrome, whereas language is an area that has not been sufficiently investigated. CONCLUSIONS In this review, the high frequency of cognitive impairment after COVID-19 is evident. If we consider that cognitive functioning affects our ability to live independently and is a key determinant of our quality of life, it is imperative to precisely define those factors that may induce cognitive impairment in COVID-19 survivors, with the ultimate goal of early diagnosis of cognitive changes and, consequently, the development of targeted rehabilitation interventions to address them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Panagea
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Lambros Messinis
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
| | - Maria Christina Petri
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Liampas
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Anyfantis
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Grigorios Nasios
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Panayiotis Patrikelis
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Mary Kosmidis
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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3
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Fanshawe JB, Sargent BF, Badenoch JB, Saini A, Watson CJ, Pokrovskaya A, Aniwattanapong D, Conti I, Nye C, Burchill E, Hussain ZU, Said K, Kuhoga E, Tharmaratnam K, Pendered S, Mbwele B, Taquet M, Wood GK, Rogers JP, Hampshire A, Carson A, David AS, Michael BD, Nicholson TR, Paddick SM, Leek CE. Cognitive domains affected post-COVID-19; a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Neurol 2024:e16181. [PMID: 38375608 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE This review aims to characterize the pattern of post-COVID-19 cognitive impairment, allowing better prediction of impact on daily function to inform clinical management and rehabilitation. METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis of neurocognitive sequelae following COVID-19 was conducted, following PRISMA-S guidelines. Studies were included if they reported domain-specific cognitive assessment in patients with COVID-19 at >4 weeks post-infection. Studies were deemed high-quality if they had >40 participants, utilized healthy controls, had low attrition rates and mitigated for confounders. RESULTS Five of the seven primary Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) cognitive domains were assessed by enough high-quality studies to facilitate meta-analysis. Medium effect sizes indicating impairment in patients post-COVID-19 versus controls were seen across executive function (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.45), learning and memory (SMD -0.55), complex attention (SMD -0.54) and language (SMD -0.54), with perceptual motor function appearing to be impacted to a greater degree (SMD -0.70). A narrative synthesis of the 56 low-quality studies also suggested no obvious pattern of impairment. CONCLUSIONS This review found moderate impairments across multiple domains of cognition in patients post-COVID-19, with no specific pattern. The reported literature was significantly heterogeneous, with a wide variety of cognitive tasks, small sample sizes and disparate initial disease severities limiting interpretability. The finding of consistent impairment across a range of cognitive tasks suggests broad, as opposed to domain-specific, brain dysfunction. Future studies should utilize a harmonized test battery to facilitate inter-study comparisons, whilst also accounting for the interactions between COVID-19, neurological sequelae and mental health, the interplay between which might explain cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack B Fanshawe
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Brendan F Sargent
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - James B Badenoch
- Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
- Preventive Neurology Unit, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Aman Saini
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Cameron J Watson
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Daruj Aniwattanapong
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Isabella Conti
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Charles Nye
- Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester, UK
| | - Ella Burchill
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Zain U Hussain
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK
- Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Khanafi Said
- Mbeya College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Elinda Kuhoga
- Mbeya College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Kukatharmini Tharmaratnam
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sophie Pendered
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Bernard Mbwele
- Mbeya College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Maxime Taquet
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Greta K Wood
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Adam Hampshire
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Alan Carson
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Anthony S David
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Benedict D Michael
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections at University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Timothy R Nicholson
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Stella-Maria Paddick
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, Gateshead, UK
| | - Charles E Leek
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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4
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Di Bella P, Attardi AG, Butera A, Mancini A, Calabrò N, Lo Re EG, Trimarchi G, Nicotera AG, Di Rosa G, Giudice DL. Semi-Automatic Analysis of Specific Electroencephalographic Patterns during NREM2 Sleep in a Pediatric Population after SARS-CoV-2 Infection. J Pers Med 2024; 14:152. [PMID: 38392585 PMCID: PMC10890158 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14020152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The post-COVID-19 condition is defined by the World Health Organization as the persistence of symptoms or development of new symptoms three months after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection, lasting for at least two months without a clear explanation. Neuropsychiatric disorders associated with this condition include asthenia, memory and concentration problems, and sleep disturbances. Our study aims to investigate sleep patterns following SARS-CoV-2 infection using EEG findings and a sleep quality questionnaire completed by parents (Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children-SDSC). Notably, our investigation is based on a convenience sample. The patients in our sample, aged 1 to 14 years, are not currently taking any medications; rather, they are undergoing follow-up assessments at the Child Neuropsychiatry department of the University Hospital of Messina for neurodevelopmental evaluations. Specifically, we are analyzing amplitude and power spectrum data in the first five minutes of NREM2 sleep, calculated from EEG recordings obtained via bipolar leads within three months after the onset of the disease. These results will be compared with controls performed on the same subjects in the six months preceding the infection. The focus of the study was sleep spindles, which are generated by the thalamocortical systems and play a role in sleep modulation, memory, and learning. Preliminary analysis suggests a predominant increase in the slow component of the spindles in the right-frontal lead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Di Bella
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, "G. Martino" University Hospital, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Anna Gaia Attardi
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, "G. Martino" University Hospital, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Ambra Butera
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, "G. Martino" University Hospital, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Arianna Mancini
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, "G. Martino" University Hospital, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Nunzia Calabrò
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, "G. Martino" University Hospital, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Elisa Giuseppa Lo Re
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, "G. Martino" University Hospital, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Trimarchi
- SIR-Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | | | - Gabriella Di Rosa
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela Lo Giudice
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
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5
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Marinkovic K, White DR, Alderson Myers A, Parker KS, Arienzo D, Mason GF. Cortical GABA Levels Are Reduced in Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1666. [PMID: 38137114 PMCID: PMC10741691 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13121666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
After recovering from the acute COVID-19 illness, a substantial proportion of people continue experiencing post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), also termed "long COVID". Their quality of life is adversely impacted by persistent cognitive dysfunction and affective distress, but the underlying neural mechanisms are poorly understood. The present study recruited a group of mostly young, previously healthy adults (24.4 ± 5.2 years of age) who experienced PASC for almost 6 months following a mild acute COVID-19 illness. Confirming prior evidence, they reported noticeable memory and attention deficits, brain fog, depression/anxiety, fatigue, and other symptoms potentially suggestive of excitation/inhibition imbalance. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) was used to examine the neurochemical aspects of cell signaling with an emphasis on GABA levels in the occipital cortex. The PASC participants were compared to a control (CNT) group matched in demographics, intelligence, and an array of other variables. Controlling for tissue composition, biological sex, and alcohol intake, the PASC group had lower GABA+/water than CNT, which correlated with depression and poor sleep quality. The mediation analysis revealed that the impact of PASC on depression was partly mediated by lower GABA+/water, indicative of cortical hyperexcitability as an underlying mechanism. In addition, N-acetylaspartate (NAA) tended to be lower in the PASC group, possibly suggesting compromised neuronal integrity. Persistent neuroinflammation may contribute to the pathogenesis of PASC-related neurocognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ksenija Marinkovic
- Spatio-Temporal Brain Imaging Lab, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA (A.A.M.); (D.A.)
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - David R. White
- Spatio-Temporal Brain Imaging Lab, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA (A.A.M.); (D.A.)
| | - Austin Alderson Myers
- Spatio-Temporal Brain Imaging Lab, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA (A.A.M.); (D.A.)
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Katie S. Parker
- Spatio-Temporal Brain Imaging Lab, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA (A.A.M.); (D.A.)
| | - Donatello Arienzo
- Spatio-Temporal Brain Imaging Lab, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA (A.A.M.); (D.A.)
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Graeme F. Mason
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Psychiatry, and Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA;
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6
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Gesser AF, Campos ML, Artismo RS, Karloh M, Matte DL. Impact of COVID-19 critical illness on functional status, fatigue symptoms, and health-related quality of life one-year after hospital discharge: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Disabil Rehabil 2023:1-12. [PMID: 37818936 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2266365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: To estimate the prevalence and severity of impairments in functional status, fatigue, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among critical COVID-19 survivors one-year after hospital discharge. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA statement and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021258356), with searches in eight databases. Observational studies were selected. The prevalence meta-analysis of abnormalities was performed using random-effects models. Risk of bias was evaluated using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute tool. Results: Twenty studies were included, with data collected between 12 and 13.5 months after hospital discharge and a total of 1828 participants. Of these, 71% were men, and 77.7% were intubated in the intensive care unit (ICU). Impairments and sequelae were identified in varying prevalence and degrees, with greater impact on functional capacity and physical components of fatigue and HRQoL. The prevalence of abnormalities of 32.3% [95% CI 23.9; 41.9] found in the meta-analysis is substantially high. Most studies were classified as having fair and poor quality. Conclusion: Critical COVID-19 survivors experience impairments in functional status, fatigue, and HRQoL to varying degrees one-year after hospital discharge, particularly among patients who stayed in the ICU and on MV for a prolonged period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Flávia Gesser
- Master's Program in Physiotherapy, University of the State of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Mariana Lanzoni Campos
- Master's Program in Physiotherapy, University of the State of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Regiana Santos Artismo
- Master's Program in Physiotherapy, University of the State of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Human Movement Sciences, University of the State of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Manuela Karloh
- Master's Program in Physiotherapy, University of the State of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
- Department of Physiotherapy, Center of Health and Sport Sciences, University of the State of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Darlan Laurício Matte
- Master's Program in Physiotherapy, University of the State of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Human Movement Sciences, University of the State of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
- Department of Physiotherapy, Center of Health and Sport Sciences, University of the State of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
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Kopańska M, Rydzik Ł, Błajda J, Sarzyńska I, Jachymek K, Pałka T, Ambroży T, Szczygielski J. The Use of Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG) to Assess Post-COVID-19 Concentration Disorders in Professional Pilots: An Initial Concept. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1264. [PMID: 37759865 PMCID: PMC10526237 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13091264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Announced by WHO in 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has affected many people, leading to serious health consequences. These consequences are observed in the daily lives of infected patients as various dysfunctions and limitations. More and more people are suffering post-COVID-19 complications that interfere with or completely prevent them from working or even functioning independently on a daily basis. The aim of our study was to demonstrate that innovative quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) can be used to assess cognitive function disorders reported after the COVID-19 pandemic. It is worth noting that no similar study has been conducted to date in a group of pilots. The QEEG method we used is currently one of the basic neurological examinations, enabling easy observation of post-COVID-19 changes in the nervous system. With the innovativeness of this technique, our study shows that the use of quantitative electroencephalography can be a precursor in identifying complications associated with cognitive function disorders after COVID-19. Our study was conducted on twelve 26-year-old pilots. All participants had attended the same flight academy and had contracted SARS-CoV-2 infection. The pilots began to suspect COVID-19 infection when they developed typical symptoms such as loss of smell and taste, respiratory problems, and rapid fatigue. Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG), which is one of the most innovative forms of diagnostics, was used to diagnose the patients. Comparison of the results between the study and control groups showed significantly higher values of all measurements of alpha, theta, and beta2 waves in the study group. In the case of the sensorimotor rhythm (SMR), the measurement results were significantly higher in the control group compared to the study group. Our study, conducted on pilots who had recovered from COVID-19, showed changes in the amplitudes of brain waves associated with relaxation and concentration. The results confirmed the issues reported by pilots as evidenced by the increased amplitudes of alfa, theta, and beta2 waves. It should be emphasized that the modern diagnostic method (QEEG) presented here has significant importance in the medical diagnosis of various symptoms and observation of treatment effects in individuals who have contracted the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The present study demonstrated an innovative approach to the diagnosis of neurological complications after COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Kopańska
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Rzeszow, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Łukasz Rydzik
- Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Kraków, Poland (T.A.)
| | - Joanna Błajda
- Institute of Health Sciences, Medical College, University of Rzeszow, Kopisto 2a, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland;
| | - Izabela Sarzyńska
- Students Science Club “Reh-Tech”, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Jachymek
- Students Science Club “Reh-Tech”, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Tomasz Pałka
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Kraków, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Ambroży
- Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Kraków, Poland (T.A.)
| | - Jacek Szczygielski
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszow, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
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8
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Jiang Y, Zhang J, Chen H, Chen C, He J, Qin Y. Flexible EEG Electrodes with Embedded Pressure Sensors and Customized Interface Towards Comfortable Home EEG Monitoring. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2023; 2023:1-4. [PMID: 38082833 DOI: 10.1109/embc40787.2023.10340408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
To realize stable and comfortable dry electroencephalography (EEG) recording for home healthcare, a flexible pressure-sensitive electrode (PSE) is proposed, and a dedicated multi-channel pressure sensor interface is developed. The PSE monitors the pressure on the electrode during continuous EEG recording. With the PSE, stable but comfortable electrode-skin contact can be achieved. The analog front-end of the sensor interface is fabricated in 180-nm CMOS, occupying an active area of 0.25 mm2. The flexible sensor exhibited a -2.5 kΩ/kPa sensitivity. The sensor interface enjoyed a large stimulus range of up to 2.65 mApp and showed a resolution of 0.047 - 8.0 mΩ/√Hz. It is digital-compatible, reconfigurable, and area-efficient, which can be migrated into various EEG acquisition integrated circuits and systems.
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9
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Komaroff AL, Lipkin WI. ME/CFS and Long COVID share similar symptoms and biological abnormalities: road map to the literature. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1187163. [PMID: 37342500 PMCID: PMC10278546 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1187163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Some patients remain unwell for months after "recovering" from acute COVID-19. They develop persistent fatigue, cognitive problems, headaches, disrupted sleep, myalgias and arthralgias, post-exertional malaise, orthostatic intolerance and other symptoms that greatly interfere with their ability to function and that can leave some people housebound and disabled. The illness (Long COVID) is similar to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) as well as to persisting illnesses that can follow a wide variety of other infectious agents and following major traumatic injury. Together, these illnesses are projected to cost the U.S. trillions of dollars. In this review, we first compare the symptoms of ME/CFS and Long COVID, noting the considerable similarities and the few differences. We then compare in extensive detail the underlying pathophysiology of these two conditions, focusing on abnormalities of the central and autonomic nervous system, lungs, heart, vasculature, immune system, gut microbiome, energy metabolism and redox balance. This comparison highlights how strong the evidence is for each abnormality, in each illness, and helps to set priorities for future investigation. The review provides a current road map to the extensive literature on the underlying biology of both illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony L. Komaroff
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - W. Ian Lipkin
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
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Furlanis G, Busan P, Formaggio E, Menichelli A, Lunardelli A, Ajcevic M, Pesavento V, Manganotti P. Stuttering-Like Dysfluencies as a Consequence of Long COVID-19. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2023; 66:415-430. [PMID: 36749838 DOI: 10.1044/2022_jslhr-22-00381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We present two patients who developed neurogenic stuttering after long COVID-19 related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS AND RESULTS Both patients experienced both physical (e.g., fatigue) and cognitive difficulties, which led to impaired function of attention, lexical retrieval, and memory consolidation. Both patients had new-onset stuttering-like speech dysfluencies: Blocks and repetitions were especially evident at the initial part of words and sentences, sometimes accompanied by effortful and associated movements (e.g., facial grimaces and oro-facial movements). Neuropsychological evaluations confirmed the presence of difficulties in cognitive tasks, while neurophysiological evaluations (i.e., electroencephalography) suggested the presence of "slowed" patterns of brain activity. Neurogenic stuttering and cognitive difficulties were evident for 4-5 months after negativization of SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab, with gradual improvement and near-to-complete recovery. CONCLUSIONS It is now evident that SARS-CoV-2 infection may significantly involve the central nervous system, also resulting in severe and long-term consequences, even if the precise mechanisms are still unknown. In the present report, long COVID-19 resulted in neurogenic stuttering, as the likely consequence of a "slowed" metabolism of (pre)frontal and sensorimotor brain regions (as suggested by the present and previous clinical evidence). As a consequence, the pathophysiological mechanisms related to the appearance of neurogenic stuttering have been hypothesized, which help to better understand the broader and possible neurological consequences of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Furlanis
- Clinical Unit of Neurology, University Hospital and Health Services of Trieste, ASUGI, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Emanuela Formaggio
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Rehabilitation, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Alina Menichelli
- Neuropsychological Service, Clinical Unit of Rehabilitation, University Hospital and Health Services of Trieste, ASUGI, Italy
| | - Alberta Lunardelli
- Neuropsychological Service, Clinical Unit of Rehabilitation, University Hospital and Health Services of Trieste, ASUGI, Italy
| | - Milos Ajcevic
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Italy
| | - Valentina Pesavento
- Neuropsychological Service, Clinical Unit of Rehabilitation, University Hospital and Health Services of Trieste, ASUGI, Italy
| | - Paolo Manganotti
- Clinical Unit of Neurology, University Hospital and Health Services of Trieste, ASUGI, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy
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Perrottelli A, Sansone N, Giordano GM, Caporusso E, Giuliani L, Melillo A, Pezzella P, Bucci P, Mucci A, Galderisi S. Cognitive Impairment after Post-Acute COVID-19 Infection: A Systematic Review of the Literature. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12122070. [PMID: 36556290 PMCID: PMC9781311 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12122070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aims to provide a critical overview of the literature on the relationships between post-acute COVID-19 infection and cognitive impairment, highlighting the limitations and confounding factors. A systematic search of articles published from 1 January 2020 to 1 July 2022 was performed in PubMed/Medline. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Only studies using validated instruments for the assessment of cognitive impairment were included. Out of 5515 screened records, 72 studies met the inclusion criteria. The available evidence revealed the presence of impairment in executive functions, speed of processing, attention and memory in subjects recovered from COVID-19. However, several limitations of the literature reviewed should be highlighted: most studies were performed on small samples, not stratified by severity of disease and age, used as a cross-sectional or a short-term longitudinal design and provided a limited assessment of the different cognitive domains. Few studies investigated the neurobiological correlates of cognitive deficits in individuals recovered from COVID-19. Further studies with an adequate methodological design are needed for an in-depth characterization of cognitive impairment in individuals recovered from COVID-19.
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