In a small cohort, worse lung gas exchange was linked to sleep symptoms, executive function, and cerebral perfusion signals.
Evidence
This cross-sectional study assessed 12 Long COVID participants 32 ± 5 months after infection using questionnaires, NIH Toolbox cognition testing, pulmonary tests, structural and functional brain MRI, and xenon MRI, with age-adjusted Spearman partial correlations.
Caveat
The sample was very small, mostly female, and correlational, while objective cognitive performance was broadly within normal limits.
Simplified
Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 () includes physical and cognitive symptoms that can last long after acute infection. Links between lung pathophysiology and cognitive dysfunction in Long COVID remain largely unexplored. Long COVID participants were recruited from a post-COVID-19 clinic. Participants completed Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System () symptom questionnaires for Sleep Disturbance, Anxiety, Depression, and Cognitive Function, the National Institute of Health Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB), pulmonary function tests (spirometry, diffusion capacity of the lung), structural and functional brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), andXe MRI for ventilation and regional pulmonary gas exchange evaluation, at the same study visit. Bivariate relationships between lung and cognitive function in Long COVID were assessed using Spearman partial correlations, adjusted for age. Twelve participants (age = 54 ± 11 yrs.; 10 females) that were 32 ± 5 months from infection were evaluated. PROMIS symptom scores indicated reduced perceived cognitive function in everyday life along with increased fatigue, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep disturbance. However, objective cognitive function performance on NIHTB-CB were broadly within normal limits. LowerXe MRI gas exchange was correlated with more severe symptoms of sleep disturbance, reduced executive functioning performance, and elevated cerebral perfusion via brain MRI. These results are suggestive of a link between lung pathophysiology and cognitive dysfunction in this Long COVID population with enduring respiratory and cognitive symptoms more than two years after infection. 129 129
Key numbers
33.9
Perceived Cognitive Function Decrease
Mean for cognitive function from questionnaires.
62.7
Fatigue Increase
Mean for fatigue from questionnaires.
55.5
Total Cognitive Composite Score
Mean for total cognitive composite from .
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Long Covid