Neurite orientation dispersion mediates effects of chronic inflammation on executive function in long-COVID.
Motivation: Chronic inflammation is believed to be one of the causes underlying long-COVID. Goal(s): To investigate the link between inflammation, white matter integrity and cognition in long-COVID. Approach: We assessed white matter microstructure in long-COVID using DTI and NODDI, and examined associations with cognition and a blood marker for inflammation (hsCRP). Results: Compared to controls, participants with long-COVID showed 1) higher hsCRP concentration, 2) white matter microstructural differences that correlated with hsCRP, and 3) cognitive deficits ~2 years after infection. Mediation analysis suggests that deficits in response inhibition may be partly caused by white matter alterations, potentially triggered by inflammation. Impact: Our findings suggest SARS-CoV-2 infection may lead to inflammatory changes in the brain, present ~2 years after infection, which may drive cognitive deficits in long-COVID. These findings may trigger the development of therapeutic strategies targeting persistent inflammation after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Authors
- June Kendall‐Thomas
- Sevil Yaşar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5080-6534)
- Michel Toledano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9046-7880)
- Lauren Pollak
- Peter B. Barker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6410-7793)
- Merve Atık
- Orhun H. Kantarci (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7038-8133)
- Jeromy Thotland
- Katherine Gundry (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3333-1709)
- Hamza Farooq (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5311-4368)
- James M. Joers (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8444-2185)
- G. Kyle Harrold (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6166-188X)
- Tetsuo Ashizawa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7180-2869)
- Burcu Zeydan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2270-9868)
- Gülin Öz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5769-183X)
- Matthew L. Senjem (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9308-9275)
- Mehreen Nabi
- Ana Roberta Vilarouca da Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5087-4310)
- Christof Karmonik (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6695-9535)
- Christophe Lenglet (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4646-3185)
- Lynn E. Eberly (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4763-330X)
- Shibani S. Mukerji (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5677-6954)
- Abby Metzler
- David H. Salat (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2246-9657)
- Meher R. Juttukonda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9064-3648)
- Janet C. Sherman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9782-3158)
- Dinesh K. Deelchand (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4266-4780)
- Georgios Manousakis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8309-9426)
- Xiufeng Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0764-4613)
- Young Ho Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2756-1786)
- Sana Rehman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8183-1778)
- Syed Amir Gillani
- Rachel Davis
- Vanesa Flores
- Eva Ratai
- Kejal Kantarci
- Keenan Byrne
- Alfredo Lorente
- Arvin Forganian-Arani
Publication Details
- Journal
- Proceedings on CD-ROM - International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. Scientific Meeting and Exhibition/Proceedings of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Scientific Meeting and Exhibition
- Published
- 2025-09-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.58530/2025/3925
- Primary Topic
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00