United States: This study, published in Translational Psychiatry, explored the impact of mild COVID-19 on brain structure, function, and cognition in adolescents and young adults using MRI and cognitive tests. Conducted in a pandemic hotspot in Lombardy, Italy, the research focused on comparing COVID-positive individuals with healthy controls.
The study found that adolescents and young adults who had mild COVID-19 exhibited significant changes in brain regions linked to olfaction and cognition, including the left hippocampus and amygdala, regions associated with memory and emotional regulation. These changes were localized rather than widespread across the brain, as indicated by the absence of significant differences in whole-brain connectivity, according to news-medical.net.
Key Findings:
– Brain Volume Changes: Reduced volume in the left hippocampus and left amygdala was observed in those with mild COVID-19. These changes were associated with cognitive impairments, especially in spatial working memory.
– Functional Connectivity: While whole-brain connectivity remained unchanged, specific regions showed decreased connectivity, including the left hippocampus, amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex, and other areas critical to cognitive processing.
– Cognitive Impact: Impaired spatial working memory in the COVID-positive group was linked to reduced connectivity in the amygdala, suggesting that even mild cases of COVID-19 can result in lasting cognitive deficits.
Study Design:
The study used data from the Public Health Impact of Metal Exposure (PHIME) cohort, a longitudinal investigation in northern Italy. Participants aged 13 to 25 underwent MRI scans and cognitive tests between 2016 and 2021. In a follow-up study after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, 40 participants (13 COVID-19-positive, 27 controls) repeated these assessments. COVID-19 status was confirmed through RT-PCR tests, and the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) was used to measure spatial working memory, according to news-medical.net.
MRI data were analyzed for structural changes and functional connectivity, revealing localized differences in the COVID-positive group. Statistical methods such as regression analysis and mediation analysis were used to investigate the relationship between brain structure and cognitive function.
Conclusion:
The study concluded that even mild COVID-19 can lead to persistent structural and functional brain changes in adolescents and young adults, particularly in regions crucial for cognition and memory. These alterations correlate with cognitive impairments, particularly in working memory, highlighting the need for further research to assess the long-term effects and potential reversibility of these changes.
While the findings are limited by the small sample size and the time gap between assessments, they provide valuable insights into how COVID-19 can affect brain development in a population undergoing critical developmental stages. Future research will help clarify the duration of these brain and cognitive changes and inform strategies for intervention and recovery in post-COVID populations.