Cerebral microstructural alterations in Post-COVID-condition are related to cognitive impairment, olfactory dysfunction and fatigue, 2024, Hosp et al

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-48651-0

Abstract

After contracting COVID-19, a substantial number of individuals develop a Post-COVID-Condition, marked by neurologic symptoms such as cognitive deficits, olfactory dysfunction, and fatigue. Despite this, biomarkers and pathophysiological understandings of this condition remain limited. Employing magnetic resonance imaging, we conduct a comparative analysis of cerebral microstructure among patients with Post-COVID-Condition, healthy controls, and individuals that contracted COVID-19 without long-term symptoms. We reveal widespread alterations in cerebral microstructure, attributed to a shift in volume from neuronal compartments to free fluid, associated with the severity of the initial infection. Correlating these alterations with cognition, olfaction, and fatigue unveils distinct affected networks, which are in close anatomical-functional relationship with the respective symptoms.

 

"the time span between positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR and the cerebral MRI did not explain alterations of gray matter DMI parameters or spatial distribution of V-extra changes between the PCC and UPC groups. Thus, one could speculate on a slow or even non-reversibility of microstructural changes observed here. In line with this assumed chronicity, 85% of patients reporting complaints two months after COVID-19 still reported symptoms one year after their symptom onset"