Neuropsychiatric- and cognitive post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection - evidence from K18-hACE C57BL/6 J mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Survivors of COVID-19 frequently report psychiatric and cognitive sequelae. The origin of such sequelae has not been determined, as it has been a challenge to resolve whether these symptoms have a viral origin or are related to the contextual stressors associated with the pandemic. Using a mouse model of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), we examined neurobiological mechanisms underlying these effects without the confounding influence of contextual factors.

Results

SARS-CoV-2 infection induced cognitive, but not anxiety- or depression-like, behavioral deficits. Cognitive impairments correlated with severity of the acute disease. Infected mice showed significant alterations in brain cytokine levels, as well as in kynurenine pathway (KP) metabolites

SUBMITTER: Santi MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12542986 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature