Frontiers in Neurology (Mar 2023)

Effects of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome on the functional brain networks of non-hospitalized individuals

  • Nathan W. Churchill,
  • Nathan W. Churchill,
  • Nathan W. Churchill,
  • Eugenie Roudaia,
  • J. Jean Chen,
  • J. Jean Chen,
  • J. Jean Chen,
  • Asaf Gilboa,
  • Asaf Gilboa,
  • Allison Sekuler,
  • Allison Sekuler,
  • Allison Sekuler,
  • Xiang Ji,
  • Fuqiang Gao,
  • Zhongmin Lin,
  • Zhongmin Lin,
  • Aravinthan Jegatheesan,
  • Aravinthan Jegatheesan,
  • Mario Masellis,
  • Mario Masellis,
  • Mario Masellis,
  • Maged Goubran,
  • Maged Goubran,
  • Maged Goubran,
  • Maged Goubran,
  • Jennifer S. Rabin,
  • Jennifer S. Rabin,
  • Jennifer S. Rabin,
  • Benjamin Lam,
  • Benjamin Lam,
  • Benjamin Lam,
  • Ivy Cheng,
  • Ivy Cheng,
  • Ivy Cheng,
  • Robert Fowler,
  • Robert Fowler,
  • Chris Heyn,
  • Chris Heyn,
  • Sandra E. Black,
  • Sandra E. Black,
  • Sandra E. Black,
  • Bradley J. MacIntosh,
  • Bradley J. MacIntosh,
  • Bradley J. MacIntosh,
  • Bradley J. MacIntosh,
  • Simon J. Graham,
  • Simon J. Graham,
  • Simon J. Graham,
  • Tom A. Schweizer,
  • Tom A. Schweizer,
  • Tom A. Schweizer

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2023.1136408
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

Read online

IntroductionThe long-term impact of COVID-19 on brain function remains poorly understood, despite growing concern surrounding post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS). The goal of this cross-sectional, observational study was to determine whether there are significant alterations in resting brain function among non-hospitalized individuals with PACS, compared to symptomatic individuals with non-COVID infection.MethodsData were collected for 51 individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 (mean age 41±12 yrs., 34 female) and 15 controls who had cold and flu-like symptoms but tested negative for COVID-19 (mean age 41±14 yrs., 9 female), with both groups assessed an average of 4-5 months after COVID testing. None of the participants had prior neurologic, psychiatric, or cardiovascular illness. Resting brain function was assessed via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and self-reported symptoms were recorded.ResultsIndividuals with COVID-19 had lower temporal and subcortical functional connectivity relative to controls. A greater number of ongoing post-COVID symptoms was also associated with altered functional connectivity between temporal, parietal, occipital and subcortical regions.DiscussionThese results provide preliminary evidence that patterns of functional connectivity distinguish PACS from non-COVID infection and correlate with the severity of clinical outcome, providing novel insights into this highly prevalent disorder.

Keywords