Episodic memory deficits and processes in post-COVID condition, 2026, Oliver-Mas et al.

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Episodic memory deficits and processes in post-COVID condition

Spoiler: Authors

Oliver-Mas, Silvia; Matias-Guiu, Jordi A; Delgado-Alonso, Cristina; Valles-Salgado, María; Gil-Moreno, María José; López-Carbonero, Juan I; Fernández-Romero, Lucía; Cuevas, Constanza; Delgado-Álvarez, Alfonso; Matias-Guiu, Jorge; Diez-Cirarda, Maria

Cognitive dysfunction is one of the most prevalent symptoms in patients with post-COVID condition (PCC) and episodic memory has been highlighted as one of the most impaired cognitive domains in these patients. However, few studies have specifically assessed episodic memory processes in these patients. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the memory function in patients with PCC.

We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 157 patients with PCC and 74 healthy controls. Participants underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and memory assessment, including the Loewenstein-Acevedo Scale for Semantic Interference and Learning (LASSI-L), the Free and Cued Selective Reminding test (FCSRT), the Open-Trial Selective Reminding Test (OT-SRT), and a Mental Ability Questionnaire (FLEI). We compared groups and evaluated the correlation between episodic memory and neuropsychological and clinical assessments.

Patients with PCC showed reduced performance on the LASSI-L, the FCSRT and the OT-SRT compared to controls. The memory scores showed positive moderate correlations with attention tests and positive low correlations with language, visuospatial or executive functions. Subjective memory complaints were related to poorer memory performance. LASSI-L was the test most associated with subjective memory complaints, whereas OT-SRT was the test less influenced by attention tests.

The study found multiple memory processes impaired in patients with PCC, specifically in initial encoding, learning information acquisition and storage, and in retrieval, with only partial improvement with cues and recognition, and with significant susceptibility to the effects of retroactive semantic interference. These findings are relevant for characterising the cognitive deficits of patients with PCC and for designing interventional strategies.

Web | DOI | PDF | European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience | Open Access

 

[SNT Gatchaman]

One of the advantages of the LASSI-L paradigm is the assessment of learning under the effects of proactive and retroactive semantic interference. The effect size was higher in retroactive interference, which means PCC are more vulnerable to the effects of retroactive semantic interference, which may be due to difficulties in episodic memory and executive function.

Our findings have important practical implications for the neuropsychological assessment of memory in PCC and the selection of the optimal cognitive test. In this regard, the LASSI-L showed the highest correlation with the subjective cognitive complaints questionnaire. This is consistent with the fact that LASSI-L is examining learning and recall during the effects of proactive and retroactive interference, and such interference in memory is likely to occur in daily living.

Additionally, the results regarding retroactive interference vulnerability are consistent with prior findings in multiple sclerosis and reinforce the hypothesis that executive dysfunction may contribute to the memory profile in PCC.

In conclusion, our study found multiple memory processes impaired in patients with PCC. Specifically, we observed difficulties in initial encoding, a delay in learning and information acquisition and storage, and impairment in retrieval with only partial improvement with cues and recognition and with greater effects from retroactive semantic interference.

 

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Fig. 1

PCC performance on LASSI-L compared to HC. Figure Legend: FRA1 Free Recall List A Trial 1, CRA 1 Cued Recall List A Trial 1, CRA2Cued Recall List A Trial 2, FRB1 Free Recall List B Trial 1, CRB1 Cued Recall List B Trial 1, CRB2 Cued Recall List B Trial 2, SdFRA Short Delay Free Recall List A, SdCRA Short Delay Cued Recall List A, DR Delayed Recall

Fig. 2

Correlations between LASSI-L and neuropsychological assessment. Figure Legend: Only significant correlations that survived Bonferroni correction are shown; * = Correlations greater than r > 0.4. SDMT Simbol Digit Modality Test, Stroop W Stroop Words, Stroop C Stroop Color, Stroop WC Stroop Word-Color,ROCF Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure, VOSP  Visual Object and Space Perception Battery, JLO Benton Judgment Line Orientation, BNT Boston Naming Test

Figure 3 (text is missing)

Fig. 4

FCSRT and OT-SRT performance in PCC group

Fig. 5

Correlations between FCSRT and neuropsychological assessment Figure legend: Only significant correlations that survided Bonferroni correction are shown; * = Correlations greater than r > 0.4. SDMT Simbol Digit Modality Test, Stroop W Stroop Words, Stroop C Stroop Color, Stroop WC Stroop Word-Color, ROCF Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure, VOSP Visual Object and Space Perception Battery, JLO Benton Judgment Line Orientation, BNT Boston Naming Test