System Maintenance Notice

Please note that maintenance work is scheduled between 4 AM and 5 AM - CET. During this time, you may experience reduced performance. Thanks for your patience.

Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 40725212 DOI: 10.3390/ijms26146965

Genetic Correlates of Presenile Dementia and Cognitive Decline in the Armenian Population Following COVID-19: A Case-Control Study.

Int J Mol Sci 26(14)

Authors: Yekaterina Hovhannisyan, Hermine Yeritsyan, Gohar Hakobjanyan, Gayane Petrosyan, Hayk Harutyunyan, Armen Muradyan, Allen Azizian, Konstantin Yenkoyan

Affiliations

  • Neuroscience Laboratory, COBRAIN Center, Yerevan State Medical University Named after Mkhitar Heratsi, Yerevan 0025, Armenia. Neurology Service at Neurosurgery Comprehensive Stroke Center, Heratsi N1 University Clinic, Yerevan State Medical University Named after Mkhitar Heratsi, Yerevan 0025, Armenia.
  • Neuroscience Laboratory, COBRAIN Center, Yerevan State Medical University Named after Mkhitar Heratsi, Yerevan 0025, Armenia.
  • Laboratory-Diagnostic Center Heratsi N1 University Clinic, Yerevan State Medical University Named after Mkhitar Heratsi, Yerevan 0025, Armenia.
  • COBRAIN Center, Yerevan State Medical University Named after Mkhitar Heratsi, Yerevan 0025, Armenia.
  • Department of Urology and Andrology, Yerevan State Medical University Named after Mkhitar Heratsi, Yerevan 0025, Armenia.
  • Department of Criminology, California State University, Fresno, CA 93740, USA.
  • Department of Medical Psychology, Yerevan State Medical University Named after Mkhitar Heratsi, Yerevan 0025, Armenia.

Abstract

The presence of cognitive lapses in the post-COVID-19 period, particularly among younger individuals, suggests a potential genetic predisposition. This case-control study aimed to assess the association between neurodegeneration-associated genes and cognitive declines in the post-COVID-19 Armenian population under the age of 65. In addition, we examined other contributing factors, including depressive symptoms, hypovitaminosis D, vitamin B12 and B9 deficiencies, and some viral infections, as potential confounders or effect modifiers. A total of 162 participants (ages 19-65, Med = 43), who were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in Armenia between 2020 and 2022, participated in this study. Standardized assessments, including the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), were used to evaluate cognitive functions and mental status, while the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was utilized to assess depressive symptoms. Clinical interview data, comprising yes/no self-reports regarding the presence of cognitive problems and depressive symptoms, were also included. Genetic analysis identified copy number variations (CNVs) in the APP, PSEN1, PSEN2, MAPT, and GRN genes, while viral infections (HSV-1, HSV-2, CMV, EBV, HIV, SARS-CoV-2, Hepatitis A, B, and C) and vitamin D, B12, and B9 deficiencies were measured. Lower cognitive performance was associated with CNVs in PSEN1 (exons 1, 9, 12), GRN (exons 1, 6, 12), and MAPT (exons 2, 8), along with viral infections (HSV-1, HSV-2, HAV-2). The findings indicate that post-COVID-19 cognitive problems are multifactorial and are linked to genetic mutations, viral infections, age, gender, and folic acid deficiency.

MeSH

Depression, Patient Health Questionnaire, Genes, Dementia, Vitamins, Case-Control Studies, Cognitive Dysfunction, Signs And Symptoms, Exons, Covid-19, Environment, Cognition, Infections, Virus Diseases