Inflammation in the brain linked to COVID-19 may lead to depressive symptoms and hinder cognitive abilities
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on September 25th, 2023
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Previous studies had observed depression, cognitive impairment, and anhedonia to be post-COVID-19 sequelae; however, the exact mechanism behind this association is not known. Thus, a study, recently published to the Journal of the American Medical Association, had investigated the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the brain, especially compartments that can be associated with mood disorder and mental faculty.
The study included 20 individuals who had previously been diagnosed with COVID-19 and 20 individuals who served as a comparative healthy control. The COVID-19 case group had previously been diagnosed with a major depressive episode within 3 months of their SARS-CoV-2 infection. The participants’ brain physiology was visualized using positron emission tomography (PET) scan, and the total distribution volume of translocator protein (TSPO VT) was used as a proxy to quantify the level of inflammation in the brain. The imaging showed that the brain of those who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 experienced more inflammation, especially in the ventral striatum and dorsal putamen. Subsequent finger-typing tests were performed to evaluate the motor speed of the group. This assessment showed an association between COVID-19, high brain inflammation and slower motor function. This outcome has the potential to contribute to the refinement of existing knowledge regarding post-COVID syndrome and support the formulation of interventions.
The study included 20 individuals who had previously been diagnosed with COVID-19 and 20 individuals who served as a comparative healthy control. The COVID-19 case group had previously been diagnosed with a major depressive episode within 3 months of their SARS-CoV-2 infection. The participants’ brain physiology was visualized using positron emission tomography (PET) scan, and the total distribution volume of translocator protein (TSPO VT) was used as a proxy to quantify the level of inflammation in the brain. The imaging showed that the brain of those who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 experienced more inflammation, especially in the ventral striatum and dorsal putamen. Subsequent finger-typing tests were performed to evaluate the motor speed of the group. This assessment showed an association between COVID-19, high brain inflammation and slower motor function. This outcome has the potential to contribute to the refinement of existing knowledge regarding post-COVID syndrome and support the formulation of interventions.