Altered rostral anterior cingulate cortex GABA levels and excitation/inhibition imbalance in post-COVID-19 patients

Motivation: This study aimed to explore the causes of neuropsychiatric disorders observed in patients long after COVID-19 infection. Goal(s): Abnormal metabolite levels and excitation/inhibition imbalance in the rACC may contribute to the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. Approach: The macromolecules(MM)-suppressed MEGA-PRESS sequence were employed to assess the levels of GABA and GLX. Results: Higher GABA levels in the rostral ACC predicted more severe depressive state in the post-COVID-19 patients.Rostral ACC excitation-inhibition (EI) balance decreased in the post-COVID-19 patients Impact: This study suggests that modulating metabolite levels could serve as a potential therapeutic approach for post-COVID-19 sequelae.