Study reveals localized brain changes in adolescents and young adults post-COVID, including reduced hippocampal volume and disrupted connectivity, correlating with impaired working memory. These findings highlight the importance of understanding long-term cognitive effects of mild COVID-19.
By Dr. Sushama R. Chaphalkar, PhD.Reviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc.Oct 3 2024 New research shows that mild COVID-19 alters brain structure and connectivity in key areas responsible for memory and cognition, emphasizing the lasting effects on young people’s brain health.
Background COVID-19, primarily known for respiratory symptoms, also affects the central nervous system, leading to neurological issues like headaches, anosmia, and cognitive changes. MRI-based studies reveal anatomical brain changes in COVID-19 patients, such as reduced gray matter and decreased volume in regions like the hippocampus and amygdala, often linked to cognitive deficits.
Given that this is the largest and most understudied population affected by COVID-19, understanding the brain and cognitive impacts in adolescents and young adults is vital. The present study involved participants from the Public Health Impact of Metal Exposure cohort, a longitudinal investigation of adolescents and young adults in northern Italy. Between 2016 and 2021, 207 participants, aged 13 to 25 years, were included in a sub-study with MRI scans and cognitive tests. After COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, 40 participants participated in a follow-up study, which replicated the MRI and cognitive assessments.
Statistical analysis involved the use of pairwise Student's t-tests, Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, linear regression, two-waves mediation analysis, negative binomial regression, and linear regression, all adjusted for covariates.
Brain Coronavirus Disease COVID-19 Amygdala Anosmia Central Nervous System Cognitive Function Coronavirus Cortex Hippocampus Imaging Magnetic Resonance Imaging Nervous System Olfaction Pandemic Psychiatry Research Respiratory
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