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Publications

Journal Article Epublish 1 citation

PubMed: 39766328 DOI: 10.3390/biom14121621

COVID-19 Exacerbates Neurovascular Uncoupling and Contributes to Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Biomolecules 14(12)

Authors: Cameron D Owens, Camila B Pinto, Zsofia Szarvas, Mihaly Muranyi, Ana Clara da C Pinaffi-Langley, Anna Peterfi, Peter Mukli, Sam Detwiler, Lauren Olay, Zalan Kaposzta, Kenneth Smith, Angelia C Kirkpatrick, Faddi Saleh Velez, Stefano Tarantini, Anna Csiszar, Zoltan I Ungvari, Calin I Prodan, Andriy Yabluchanskiy

Affiliations

  • Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA.
  • Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
  • International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary.
  • Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA. Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Allied Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA.
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1087 Budapest, Hungary.
  • Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA. Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
  • Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
  • Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
  • Cardiovascular Disease Section, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA.
  • Department of Neurology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
  • Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA. Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary. Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
  • Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
  • Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.

Abstract

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) affects nearly 20% of older adults worldwide, with no targetable interventions for prevention. COVID-19 adversely affects cognition, with >70% of older adults with Long COVID presenting with cognitive complaints. Neurovascular coupling (NVC), an essential mechanism of cognitive function, declines with aging and is further attenuated in neurocognitive disorders. The effect of COVID-19 on NVC responses has yet to be addressed in older adults who are vulnerable to dementia progression. Participants with MCI and a history of COVID-19 (COV+, N = 31) and MCI participants with no history of infection (COV- N = 11) participated in this cross-sectional study to determine if COVID-19 affects cerebrocortical NVC responses and vascular function. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to measure cerebrocortical NVC responses, and endothelial function was assessed via insonation of the brachial artery during a flow-mediated dilation protocol. NVC responses were elicited by the working memory -back paradigm. NVC in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and endothelial function was decreased in the COV+ group compared to the COV- group. These data provide mechanistic insight into how COVID-19 may exacerbate long-term cognitive sequela seen in older adults, highlighting the urgent need for further research and clinical trials to explore novel therapeutic interventions aimed at preserving/restoring NVC.

MeSH

Cognitive Dysfunction, Covid-19, Cognition Disorders, Neurovascular Coupling, History, Cognition

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