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
Affiliations
- Nathan W. Churchill
- Neuroscience Research Program, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Nathan W. Churchill
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Nathan W. Churchill
- Physics Department, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Eugenie Roudaia
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, Toronto, ON, Canada
- J. Jean Chen
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, Toronto, ON, Canada
- J. Jean Chen
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- J. Jean Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Asaf Gilboa
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Asaf Gilboa
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Allison Sekuler
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Allison Sekuler
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Allison Sekuler
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Xiang Ji
- LC Campbell Cognitive Neurology Research Group, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Fuqiang Gao
- 0Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Zhongmin Lin
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Zhongmin Lin
- 1Physical Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Aravinthan Jegatheesan
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Aravinthan Jegatheesan
- 1Physical Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Mario Masellis
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Mario Masellis
- 0Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Mario Masellis
- 2Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Maged Goubran
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Maged Goubran
- 0Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Maged Goubran
- 1Physical Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Maged Goubran
- 3Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Jennifer S. Rabin
- 2Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Jennifer S. Rabin
- 3Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Jennifer S. Rabin
- 4Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Benjamin Lam
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Benjamin Lam
- 0Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Benjamin Lam
- 2Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Ivy Cheng
- 5Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Ivy Cheng
- 6Integrated Community Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Ivy Cheng
- 7Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Robert Fowler
- 7Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Robert Fowler
- 8Emergency and Critical Care Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Chris Heyn
- 0Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Chris Heyn
- 9Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Sandra E. Black
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Sandra E. Black
- 0Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Sandra E. Black
- 2Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Bradley J. MacIntosh
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Bradley J. MacIntosh
- 0Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Bradley J. MacIntosh
- 1Physical Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Bradley J. MacIntosh
- 0Computational Radiology and Artificial Intelligence Unit, Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Simon J. Graham
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Simon J. Graham
- 0Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Simon J. Graham
- 1Physical Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Tom A. Schweizer
- Neuroscience Research Program, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Tom A. Schweizer
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Tom A. Schweizer
- 1Faculty of Medicine (Neurosurgery), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2023.1136408
- Journal volume & issue
-
Vol. 14
Abstract
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
