Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Introduction
The long-term impact of COVID-19 on brain function remains poorly understood, despite growing concern surrounding post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS). The goal of this cross-sectional, observational study was to determine whether there are significant alterations in resting brain function among non-hospitalized individuals with PACS, compared to symptomatic individuals with non-COVID infection.Methods
Data were collected for 51 individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 (mean age 41±12 yrs., 34 female) and 15 controls who had cold and flu-like symptoms but tested negative for COVID-19 (mean age 41±14 yrs., 9 female), with both groups assessed an average of 4-5 months after COVID testing. None of the participants had prior neurologic, psychiatric, or cardiovascular illness. Resting brain function was assessed via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and self-reported symptoms were recorded.Results
Individuals with COVID-19 had lower temporal and subcortical functional connectivity relative to controls. A greater number of ongoing post-COVID symptoms was also associated with altered functional connectivity between temporal, parietal, occipital and subcortical regions.Discussion
These results provide preliminary evidence that patterns of functional connectivity distinguish PACS from non-COVID infection and correlate with the severity of clinical outcome, providing novel insights into this highly prevalent disorder.
SUBMITTER: Churchill NW
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10083436 | biostudies-literature | 2023
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

Churchill Nathan W NW Roudaia Eugenie E Chen J Jean JJ Gilboa Asaf A Sekuler Allison A Ji Xiang X Gao Fuqiang F Lin Zhongmin Z Jegatheesan Aravinthan A Masellis Mario M Goubran Maged M Rabin Jennifer S JS Lam Benjamin B Cheng Ivy I Fowler Robert R Heyn Chris C Black Sandra E SE MacIntosh Bradley J BJ Graham Simon J SJ Schweizer Tom A TA
Frontiers in neurology 20230327
<h4>Introduction</h4>The long-term impact of COVID-19 on brain function remains poorly understood, despite growing concern surrounding post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS). The goal of this cross-sectional, observational study was to determine whether there are significant alterations in resting brain function among non-hospitalized individuals with PACS, compared to symptomatic individuals with non-COVID infection.<h4>Methods</h4>Data were collected for 51 individuals who tested positive for COV ...[more]