Cerebral microstructural alterations in Post-COVID-condition are related to cognitive impairment, olfactory dysfunction and fatigue

Jonas A. Hosp; Marco Reisert; Andrea Dressing; Veronika Götz; Elias Kellner; Hansjörg Mast; Susan Arndt; Cornelius F. Waller; Dirk Wagner; Siegbert Rieg; Horst Urbach; Cornelius Weiller; Nils Schröter; Alexander Rau

doi:10.1038/s41467-024-48651-0

Nature Communications (May 2024)

Cerebral microstructural alterations in Post-COVID-condition are related to cognitive impairment, olfactory dysfunction and fatigue

Jonas A. Hosp,
Marco Reisert,
Andrea Dressing,
Veronika Götz,
Elias Kellner,
Hansjörg Mast,
Susan Arndt,
Cornelius F. Waller,
Dirk Wagner,
Siegbert Rieg,
Horst Urbach,
Cornelius Weiller,
Nils Schröter,
Alexander Rau

Affiliations

Jonas A. Hosp: Department of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg
Marco Reisert: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg
Andrea Dressing: Department of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg
Veronika Götz: Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg
Elias Kellner: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg
Hansjörg Mast: Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg
Susan Arndt: Department of Otorhinolaryngology ‐ Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Center ‐ University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg
Cornelius F. Waller: Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical Center ‐ University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg
Dirk Wagner: Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg
Siegbert Rieg: Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg
Horst Urbach: Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg
Cornelius Weiller: Department of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg
Nils Schröter: Department of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg
Alexander Rau: Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-48651-0
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 15, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Abstract After contracting COVID-19, a substantial number of individuals develop a Post-COVID-Condition, marked by neurologic symptoms such as cognitive deficits, olfactory dysfunction, and fatigue. Despite this, biomarkers and pathophysiological understandings of this condition remain limited. Employing magnetic resonance imaging, we conduct a comparative analysis of cerebral microstructure among patients with Post-COVID-Condition, healthy controls, and individuals that contracted COVID-19 without long-term symptoms. We reveal widespread alterations in cerebral microstructure, attributed to a shift in volume from neuronal compartments to free fluid, associated with the severity of the initial infection. Correlating these alterations with cognition, olfaction, and fatigue unveils distinct affected networks, which are in close anatomical-functional relationship with the respective symptoms.

Published in Nature Communications

ISSN: 2041-1723 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science
Website: https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

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