No abstract

Brain changes have been reported in the first weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, limited literature exists about brain alterations in post-COVID syndrome, a condition increasingly associated with cognitive impairment. The present study aimed to evaluate brain functional and structural alterations in patients with post-COVID syndrome, and assess whether these brain alterations were related to cognitive dysfunction. Eighty-six patients with post-COVID syndrome and 36 healthy controls were recruited and underwent neuroimaging acquisition and a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Cognitive and neuroimaging examinations were performed 11 months after the first symptoms of SARS-CoV-2. Whole-brain functional connectivity analysis was performed. Voxel-based morphometry was performed to evaluate grey matter volume, and diffusion tensor imaging was carried out to analyse white matter alterations. Correlations between cognition and brain changes were conducted and Bonferroni corrected. Post-COVID syndrome patients presented with functional connectivity changes, characterized by hypoconnectivity between left and right parahippocampal areas, and between bilateral orbitofrontal and cerebellar areas compared to controls. These alterations were accompanied by reduced grey matter volume in cortical, limbic and cerebellar areas, and alterations in white matter axial and mean diffusivity. Grey matter volume loss showed significant associations with cognitive dysfunction. These cognitive and brain alterations were more pronounced in hospitalized patients compared to non-hospitalized patients. No associations with vaccination status were found. The present study shows persistent structural and functional brain abnormalities 11 months after the acute infection. These changes are associated with cognitive dysfunction and contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the post-COVID syndrome.

Background Olfactory dysfunction is common during SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The pathophysiology of the persistence of this symptom and the potential relationship with central nervous system involvement is unknown. Aim of the study To evaluate the neural correlates of persistent olfactory dysfunction in a series of patients with post‐COVID syndrome. Methods Eighty‐two patients with post‐COVID syndrome were assessed with the Brief Smell Identification Test and a multimodal MRI study including 3D‐T1, T2‐FLAIR, diffusion‐tensor imaging, and arterial spin labeling. Olfactory and neuroimaging examinations were performed 11.18 ± 3.78 months after the acute infection. Voxel‐based brain mapping analyses were conducted to correlate the olfactory test with brain volumes, white matter microstructure, and brain perfusion. Results Olfactory dysfunction was associated with lower tissue perfusion in the orbital and medial frontal regions in the arterial spin labeling sequence. Conversely, no statistically significant findings were detected in brain volumes and diffusion‐tensor imaging. Mild changes in paranasal sinuses and nasal cavities were detected in 9.75% of cases, with no association with olfactory deficits. Conclusions We provide new insights regarding the pathophysiology of persistent olfactory dysfunction after COVID‐19, involving the main brain regions associated with the olfactory system.