Insights into Neurological Long COVID Syndrome with Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping in Basal Ganglia

Motivation: The etiology of persistent and enigmatic neurological symptoms in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) remains unclear. Goal(s): To utilize quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) to compare iron levels in the basal ganglia of individuals with neurological symptoms of PASC, recovered COVID-19 patients, and uninfected controls, thereby identifying potential biomarkers for the condition. Approach: QSM imaging was performed on three distinct cohorts: PASC, post-COVID non-PASC, and uninfected subjectsResults: Elevated QSM values, indicative of iron accumulation, in the putamen and caudate nucleus were observed in PASC patients. Impact: The study aims to offer a novel imaging perspective on PASC, potentially leading to a better understanding of its neurological aspects and aiding in the development of targeted therapies for affected patients.