COVID-19 Brain and Cognition Research Study

Woman with brain pain

Study Overview

COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. It is associated with respiratory illness that ranges from mild to severe depending on the individual. Most people recover but emerging reports suggest that a subgroup may experience significant, long-term effects including cognitive decline. We have completed enrollment for this study and below are some of our results so far.

Results/Findings

Lower Brain Connectivity and Cognitive Function after COVID-19 Infection

We enrolled 49 adults (55% female, mean age = 30.7 +/- 8.7), 25 with and 24 without a history of COVID-19 infection. The COVID-19 group demonstrated significantly lower cognitive function and lower functional connectivity in multiple brain regions. Reduced connectivity of these regions was associated with higher cognitive complaints but lower fatigue. These brain regions also demonstrated significantly reduced efficiency of information processing and altered information flow. 

These findings suggest that COVID-19 may have a widespread effect on the brain. In part, this may serve as an adaptation to the pathology of SARS-CoV-2 such that the brain can continue functioning at near normal levels, but patients experience the lowered efficiency as brain fog. 

Accelerated Brain Aging after COVID-19 Infection

We measured Brain Age Gap (BAG), which is the difference between brain age and chronological age in our cohort of COVID-19 survivors and non-infected controls. BAG was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group by approximately 3 years. Additionally, 80% of the COVID-19 group demonstrated an accelerated BAG compared to 13% in the control group. Accelerated BAG was significantly correlated with lower cognitive function. Males in the COVID-19 group demonstrated a 99% increased risk of accelerated BAG compared to females. There was also a small (1.4%) but significant decrease in risk for accelerated BAG associated with longer time since COVID-19 diagnosis. 

Our findings point to accelerated brain aging as a potential mechanism of post-COVID-19 cognitive impairment. Our results also offer further insight regarding sex differences in COVID-19 outcomes.

New Study

We are currently planning a new study to expand upon our findings and examine other factors related to post-COVID-19 cognitive function. Please check back during April 2025 for more information or contact us at any time if you wish to be informed about upcoming research studies by emailing at kesler.lab@austin.utexas.edu.