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Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 40293543 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-025-13097-x

Long-term neuropsychological consequences of severe COVID-19 infection: the NEUROCOG-COVID study.

J Neurol 272(5):363

Authors: Mylène Meyer, Thérèse Jonveaux, Claire Banasiak, Marine Bié, Leslie Cartz Piver, Anne Chatelain, Céline Dillier, Pascale Gerardin, Coraline Hingray, Christel Jacob, Laura Lavigne, Eloi Magnin, Salomé Puisieux, Louise Tyvaert, Gabriela Hossu, Lucie Hopes

Affiliations

  • Department of Neurology, Hôpital Central, Nancy University Hospital Centre, 29 Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 54001, Nancy Cedex, France.
  • Department of Neurology, Hôpital Central, Nancy University Hospital Centre, 29 Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 54001, Nancy Cedex, France.
  • Lorraine University, 2LPN, F-54000, Nancy, France.
  • Lorraine University, CIC, Innovation Technologique, Nancy University Hospital Centre, Nancy, France.
  • Department of Neurology, Mercy Regional Hospital Centre, Metz, France.
  • Department of Neurology, Limoges University Hospital Centre, Limoges, France.
  • Lorraine University, IMOPA CNRS UMR 7365, Vandoeuvre-Lès-Nancy, France.
  • CMRR, Centre Neurodéveloppemental Adulte « Hors Normes », Department of Neurology, Besançon University Hospital Centre, 25000, Besançon, France.
  • UMR INSERM 1322, LINC, Laboratoire de Recherches Intégratives en Neurosciences Et Psychologie Cognitive, Franche-Comté University, Besançon, France.
  • Commission of the GREDEVad (Groupe de Réflexion Sur L'évaluation Des Troubles Neurodéveloppementaux de L'adulte) within the GRECO (Groupe de Réflexion Sur L'évaluation Cognitive), Besançon, France.
  • Lorraine University, IADI, INSERM U1254, 54000, Nancy, France.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have confirmed the presence of cognitive disorders, which may be maintained over the long term and associated with psychological disorders following COVID-19 infection. The aim of our study was to characterize long-term cognitive and psychiatric disorders in patients younger than 65 years hospitalized for severe COVID-19 infection.

METHODS

All patients who were hospitalized between October 2020 and July 2021 for severe COVID-19 infection with a cognitive complaint according to the QPC questionnaire were selected. They underwent a systematic neuropsychological evaluation assessing cognitive functions, psychological processes, and quality of life (QOL).

RESULTS

The QPC was offered to 293 patients, 129 of whom had a cognitive complaint. A total of 74 (57% men) of these patients, aged approximately 55 years, had undergone a full neuropsychological evaluation 337.38 ± 25.11 days after hospital discharge. Seventy-three percent presented with cognitive disorders, including executive disorders (66%), memory disorders (31%), language disorders (19%), and other instrumental disorders (12%). Single-domain impairment was found in 54% of patients, with predominantly "dysexecutive syndrome" (83%) profile. There was no difference between the groups concerning psychological impairment. Patients with a "dysexecutive syndrome" profile reported poorer mental QOL than did the other patients (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive disorders are common after severe COVID-19. The consideration of these factors is essential in the management of patients with long-term COVID-19, especially considering their impact on patients' QOL. Comprehensive neuropsychological assessment helps to identify the factors contributing to cognitive complaints to optimize multidisciplinary management, particularly when not related to cognitive disorders on testing.

MeSH

Neurosurgery, Covid-19, Neurology, Infections