Postcovid cognitive decline, its risk factors and diagnostic biomarkers

Cognitive impairment (CI) is one of the main symptoms of both the acute period of COVID-19 and post-COVID syndrome, manifested by memory, attention and executive functions decline, which may persist or worsen months after infection. Risk factors for developing postcovid CI (PCI) include old age, female gender, low educational and socio-economic status, prolonged social isolation, severe COVID-19, use of certain medications, and concomitant diseases such as dementia and cardiovascular diseases. Vaccination against COVID-19 is considered as an effective way to prevent PCI. Diagnosis of PCI is based on the study of biomarkers in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), neuroimaging and neurophysiological data. Studies have revealed a link between cognitive impairment and the presence of antineuronal antibodies in the blood and CSF, structural changes in the brain (decrease in gray matter thickness and tissue damage in memory and attention areas), decreased glucose metabolism in key areas of the brain (according to PET scans) and abnormalities in brain electrical activity (according to EEG data). PCI is a serious problem for global health, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which requires a comprehensive approach to the study, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients.