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Publications

Journal Article Review Epublish 7 citations

PubMed: 38396398 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14040359

A Comprehensive Review of COVID-19-Related Olfactory Deficiency: Unraveling Associations with Neurocognitive Disorders and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings.

Diagnostics (Basel) 14(4)

Authors: Ludovica Simonini, Francesca Frijia, Lamia Ait Ali, Ilenia Foffa, Cecilia Vecoli, Carmelo De Gori, Sara De Cori, Monica Baroni, Giovanni Donato Aquaro, Carlo Maremmani, Francesco Lombardo

Affiliations

  • Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), 54100 Massa, Italy.
  • Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione Toscana G. Monasterio, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
  • Pediatric Cardiology and GUCH Unit, Fondazione "G. Monasterio" CNR-Regione Toscana, 54100 Massa, Italy.
  • Department of Radiology, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
  • Fondazione "G. Monasterio" CNR-Regione Toscana, 54100 Massa, Italy.
  • Academic Radiology Unit, Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
  • Unit of Neurology, Ospedale Apuane, Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest, 54100 Massa, Italy.

Abstract

Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is one of the most common symptoms in COVID-19 patients and can impact patients' lives significantly. The aim of this review was to investigate the multifaceted impact of COVID-19 on the olfactory system and to provide an overview of magnetic resonance (MRI) findings and neurocognitive disorders in patients with COVID-19-related OD. Extensive searches were conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar until 5 December 2023. The included articles were 12 observational studies and 1 case report that assess structural changes in olfactory structures, highlighted through MRI, and 10 studies correlating the loss of smell with neurocognitive disorders or mood disorders in COVID-19 patients. MRI findings consistently indicate volumetric abnormalities, altered signal intensity of olfactory bulbs (OBs), and anomalies in the olfactory cortex among COVID-19 patients with persistent OD. The correlation between OD and neurocognitive deficits reveals associations with cognitive impairment, memory deficits, and persistent depressive symptoms. Treatment approaches, including olfactory training and pharmacological interventions, are discussed, emphasizing the need for sustained therapeutic interventions. This review points out several limitations in the current literature while exploring the intricate effects of COVID-19 on OD and its connection to cognitive deficits and mood disorders. The lack of objective olfactory measurements in some studies and potential validity issues in self-reports emphasize the need for cautious interpretation. Our research highlights the critical need for extensive studies with larger samples, proper controls, and objective measurements to deepen our understanding of COVID-19's long-term effects on neurological and olfactory dysfunctions.

MeSH

Research Design, Mood Disorders, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Therapeutics, Neurocognitive Disorders, Cognition Disorders, Covid-19

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