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OtherClinical Investigations (Human)
Open Access

Slow but evident recovery from neocortical dysfunction and cognitive impairment in a series of chronic COVID-19 patients

Ganna Blazhenets, Nils Schröter, Tobias Bormann, Johannes Thurow, Dirk Wagner, Lars Frings, Cornelius Weiller, Philipp T Meyer, Andrea Dressing and Jonas A Hosp
Journal of Nuclear Medicine March 2021, jnumed.121.262128; DOI: https://doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.121.262128
Ganna Blazhenets
1 Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany;
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Nils Schröter
2 Department of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany;
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Tobias Bormann
2 Department of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany;
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Johannes Thurow
1 Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany;
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Dirk Wagner
3 Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
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Lars Frings
1 Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany;
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Cornelius Weiller
2 Department of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany;
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Philipp T Meyer
1 Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany;
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Andrea Dressing
2 Department of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany;
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Jonas A Hosp
2 Department of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany;
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Abstract

Cognitive impairment is a frequent complaint in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) and can be related to cortical hypometabolism on 18F-FDG PET at the subacute stage. However, it is unclear if these changes are reversible. Methods: We prospectively assessed Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and 18F-FDG PET scans in 8 COVID-19 patients at the subacute (as no longer infectious) and chronic stages (approximately six months after symptom onset). The expression of the previously established COVID-19-related covariance pattern was analyzed at both stages to examine the time course of post-COVID-19 cognitive impairment. For further validation, we also conducted a conventional group analysis. Results: Follow-up 18F-FDG PET revealed a significant reduction of initial frontoparietal and, to a lesser extent, temporal glucose hypometabolism that was accompanied by a significant improvement in cognition. The expression of the previously established COVID-19-related pattern was significantly lower at follow-up and correlated inversely with MoCA performance. However, both 18F-FDG PET and cognitive assessment suggest a residual impairment. Conclusions: Although a significant recovery of regional neuronal function and cognition can be clearly stated, residuals are still measurable in some patients six months after the manifestation of COVID-19. Given the current pandemic situation and tremendous uncertainty concerning the long-term effects of COVID-19, the present study provides novel insights of highest medical and socioeconomic relevance.

  • Infectious Disease
  • Neurology
  • PET/CT
  • COVID-19
  • FDG PET
  • Montreal Cognitive Assessment
  • cognition
  • neurology

Footnotes

  • Immediate Open Access: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY) allows users to share and adapt with attribution, excluding materials credited to previous publications. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Details: https://jnm.snmjournals.org/page/permissions.

  • Copyright © 2021 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.

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Journal of Nuclear Medicine: 64 (6)
Journal of Nuclear Medicine
Vol. 64, Issue 6
June 1, 2023
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Slow but evident recovery from neocortical dysfunction and cognitive impairment in a series of chronic COVID-19 patients
Ganna Blazhenets, Nils Schröter, Tobias Bormann, Johannes Thurow, Dirk Wagner, Lars Frings, Cornelius Weiller, Philipp T Meyer, Andrea Dressing, Jonas A Hosp
Journal of Nuclear Medicine Mar 2021, jnumed.121.262128; DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.121.262128

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Slow but evident recovery from neocortical dysfunction and cognitive impairment in a series of chronic COVID-19 patients
Ganna Blazhenets, Nils Schröter, Tobias Bormann, Johannes Thurow, Dirk Wagner, Lars Frings, Cornelius Weiller, Philipp T Meyer, Andrea Dressing, Jonas A Hosp
Journal of Nuclear Medicine Mar 2021, jnumed.121.262128; DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.121.262128
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