

A recent study in Nature Medicine reveals two blood biomarkers that could predict cognitive deficits six and 12 months post-COVID-19 diagnosis, including COVID brain fog. These findings, drawn from data from over 1,800 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, were verified in an independent dataset. They offer biological insights into the factors possibly underlying long-term cognitive impairment from COVID-19.
Cognitive deficits following COVID-19, often described as “COVID brain fog,” can severely impact daily life. Diagnosis combines objective (clinician-assessed) and subjective (patient-reported) elements. Yet, the development of these post-COVID-19 cognitive deficits remains a mystery.
Maxime Taquet and their team conducted a comprehensive analysis using data from 1,837 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the U.K. from January 29, 2020, to November 20, 2021. Blood samples were collected during admission. Both clinician-assessed and patient-reported cognition measurements were collected at six and 12 months post-admission.
Employing advanced statistical techniques, the researchers pinpointed two blood biomarker profiles strongly linked to post-acute COVID-19 cognitive impairments. The first profile revealed elevated fibrinogen levels, a blood coagulation-related protein, showing significant correlations with both objective and subjective cognitive deficits. Meanwhile, the second profile associated heightened d-dimer levels, another blood coagulation protein, with subjective cognitive deficits, including COVID brain fog, and also with symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath.
These results were substantially duplicated in an independent investigation involving the medical records of 17,911 U.S. patients. This included a comparison between post-pandemic and pre-pandemic groups, highlighting the distinctiveness of d-dimer concerning COVID-19, as proposed by the authors.
The authors posit that their discoveries may pave the way for the creation of predictive models for post-COVID-19 cognitive impairments, aiding in prognosis and treatment planning. Nevertheless, they underscore the necessity for additional research involving diverse cohorts to validate these findings.
more recommended stories
Philippines Strengthens ASF Detection and Control
Innovative Solutions for Rapid ASF Detection.
Key Immune Pathways in Centenarians Identified
Centenarians Offer Clues to Healthy Aging.
Action Video Games and Brain Health: Study Insights
Gaming and Brain Structure: What MRI.
Creatine May Boost Muscle Strength in Alzheimer’s Patients
Creatine Supplementation Shows Promise in Alzheimer’s.
New Drug STF-1623 Shows Promise in Treating Solid Tumors
STF-1623 Transforming ‘Cold’ Tumors into ‘Hot’.
Macrophage Microautophagy Supports Immune Readiness
A Breakthrough in Cellular Recycling Macrophages,.
The Role of α-Glucosidase in Type 2 Diabetes
α-Glucosidase Inhibition: Functional Food Compounds for.
Oral Bacteria Linked to Atherosclerosis
New Evidence Links Viridans Streptococci to.
Study Reveals Cold May Impact SARS-CoV-2 Infection Rates
The Unexpected Protective Role of Rhinoviruses.
CDI Test Shows Early Detection Potential in Alzheimer’s
Breakthrough Study Highlights Brain Blood Flow.
Leave a Comment