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

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

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology

VOLUME=Volume 14 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2023.1136408

DOI=10.3389/fneur.2023.1136408

ISSN=1664-2295

ABSTRACT=The 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. Data 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. Individuals 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. These 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.