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. 2022;87(3):1239-1250.
doi: 10.3233/JAD-215506.

Clinical and Imaging Determinants of Neurocognitive Disorders in Post-Acute COVID-19 Patients with Cognitive Complaints

Daniela Andriuta  1   2 , Cherifa Si-Ahmed  1 , Martine Roussel  1   2 , Jean-Marc Constans  3 , Malek Makki  2 , Ardalan Aarabi  2 , Damien Basille  4 , Claire Andrejak  4 , Olivier Godefroy  1   2
Affiliations

Clinical and Imaging Determinants of Neurocognitive Disorders in Post-Acute COVID-19 Patients with Cognitive Complaints

Daniela Andriuta et al. J Alzheimers Dis. 2022.

Abstract

Background: Neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) are a part of the post-acute coronavirus disease (COVID-19) syndrome. No study has specifically evaluated NCDs in post-acute COVID-19 patients with cognitive complaints or their MRI determinants.

Objective: To characterize NCDs in post-acute COVID-19 patients with cognitive complaints. The secondary objectives were to assess their clinical and MRI determinants.

Methods: We included 46 patients with a post-acute COVID-19 cognitive complaint referred to the Amiens University Hospital Memory Center. They underwent a neuropsychological assessment and 36 had cerebral MRI. The G3 overall summary score was the sum of the mean z scores for the executive function, language, and action speed domains. Neuropsychological profiles were compared in a general linear model. Clinical determinants were analyzed by stepwise linear regression. White matter hyperintensities (WMH) masks were analyzed using parcel-based WMH symptom mapping to identify the locations of WMHs associated with cognitive performance.

Results: Repeated ANOVA showed a group effect (p = 0.0001) due to overall lower performance for patients and a domain effect (p = 0.0001) due to a lower (p = 0.007) action speed score. The G3 overall summary score was significantly associated with solely the requirement for oxygen (R2 = 0.319, p = 0.031). WHMs were associated with the G3 overall summary score in the following structures, all right-sided (p < 0.01): superior frontal region, postcentral region, cingulum, cortico-spinal tract, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, internal capsule, and posterior segment of the arcuate fasciculus.

Conclusion: Post-acute COVID-19 patients with cognitive complaints had NCD, with prominent action slowing, significantly associated with the acute phase oxygen requirement and a right-sided WMH structure pattern.

Keywords: COVID-19; neurocognitive disorders; post-acute COVID-19; white matter hyperintensities.

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