Long COVID and the Brain: A Retrospective Study of the Neuropsychological Manifestations of Long COVID
Alexandria N. Plant, Ameer Z. Rasheed, Mira Hasan
Background
The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and impact of neuropsychological symptoms related to long COVID syndrome to better understand, characterize, and treat symptoms.
Methods
A retrospective chart review was performed utilizing de-identified patient data obtained from UConn Health’s Long COVID Clinic and Recovery Center within the Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine in Farmington, CT between March 2020 and August 2022. A total of 155 patients were included, and data was collected via standardized patient questionnaires. These included a review of systems, followed by physical examination and further diagnostic testing and treatment as indicated.
Results
Of the 155 patients, many were female (females n = 102 versus males n = 53) and more than 60% of patients were between 41 and 60 years of age. This was despite higher hospitalization rates in males (n = 24, 45.3%) and those over the age of 71 (n = 7, 70.0%).
Most patients did report experiencing neuropsychological symptoms attributed to long COVID syndrome, which unfortunately did not correlate with diagnostic modalities such as brain imaging in most cases.
Conclusions
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients have been left with lingering symptoms now defined as long COVID syndrome. Our study highlights the extent of neuropsychiatric symptom burden in the setting of long COVID syndrome.
Pathophysiological mechanisms in the development of long COVID syndrome in certain patient cohorts are not well understood, and are believed to be secondary to immune system dysregulation leading to chronic inflammation.
Link | PDF (COVID) [Open Access]
Alexandria N. Plant, Ameer Z. Rasheed, Mira Hasan
Background
The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and impact of neuropsychological symptoms related to long COVID syndrome to better understand, characterize, and treat symptoms.
Methods
A retrospective chart review was performed utilizing de-identified patient data obtained from UConn Health’s Long COVID Clinic and Recovery Center within the Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine in Farmington, CT between March 2020 and August 2022. A total of 155 patients were included, and data was collected via standardized patient questionnaires. These included a review of systems, followed by physical examination and further diagnostic testing and treatment as indicated.
Results
Of the 155 patients, many were female (females n = 102 versus males n = 53) and more than 60% of patients were between 41 and 60 years of age. This was despite higher hospitalization rates in males (n = 24, 45.3%) and those over the age of 71 (n = 7, 70.0%).
Most patients did report experiencing neuropsychological symptoms attributed to long COVID syndrome, which unfortunately did not correlate with diagnostic modalities such as brain imaging in most cases.
Conclusions
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients have been left with lingering symptoms now defined as long COVID syndrome. Our study highlights the extent of neuropsychiatric symptom burden in the setting of long COVID syndrome.
Pathophysiological mechanisms in the development of long COVID syndrome in certain patient cohorts are not well understood, and are believed to be secondary to immune system dysregulation leading to chronic inflammation.
Link | PDF (COVID) [Open Access]
