Neurocognitive Profile of the Post-COVID Condition in Adults in Catalonia—A Mixed Method Prospective Cohort and Nested Case–Control Study: Study Protocol

Abstract

The diagnosis of the post-COVID condition is usually achieved by excluding other diseases; however, cognitive changes are often found in the post-COVID disorder. Therefore, monitoring and treating the recovery from the post-COVID condition is necessary to establish biomarkers to guide the diagnosis of symptoms, including cognitive impairment. Our study employs a prospected cohort and nested case–control design with mixed methods, including statistical analyses, interviews, and focus groups. Our main aim is to identify biomarkers (functional and structural neural changes, inflammatory and immune status, vascular and vestibular signs and symptoms) easily applied in primary care to detect cognitive changes in post-COVID cases. The results will open up a new line of research to inform diagnostic and therapeutic decisions with special considerations for cognitive impairment in the post-COVID condition.

Keywords

• post-COVID condition
• cognitive symptoms
• neuropsychologic symptoms
• quality of life
• retinography
• posturography