Long-COVID-19 cognitive disfunction: strain-specific effects on 452 subjects (S21.010)

Abstract

<h3>Objective:</h3> Evaluate the effect of COVID-19 presumed viral strains on different cognitive domains. <h3>Background:</h3> Cognitive dysfunction (CD) is a frequent and debilitating symptom of long-COVID syndrome with a negative impact on survivors’ productivity and quality of life. It is unknown whether there are strain-specific effects on cognition. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> We used the Fiocruz database (http://www.genomahcov.fiocruz.br) to separate 452 subjects (15 years of education; 88 days after diagnosis) according to the prevalent viral strain at the time of the positive COVID-19 test. Subjects completed a neuropsychological evaluation consisting of phonetic fluency (FAS), semantic fluency (SF: animals), logic memory (immediate and late recall), Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test (copy and recall), colored trails test A and B, 9-hole peg test (dominant and non-dominant hand) and the five digits test (reading, counting, choice, alternation, inhibition, and flexibility). Test scores were converted to Z-scores using normative Brazilian tables. Global strain effects were tested using MANOVA, followed by one-way ANOVAs for each test. <h3>Results:</h3> Subjects were classified into five presumed strain groups: original (247), original+P2 (36), P2 (86), gamma+P2 (50), and delta (6). Full testing data were available for 141 subjects. MANOVA showed significant strain effects (p=0.046). However, post-hoc tests showed no strain effects on any of the cognitive tests. SF showed a marginally significant effect (n=392, p=0.056) due to better performances in the original+P2 and P2 groups. FDT reading subtest was marginally significant (n=323, p=0.073) due to better test performances in the P2 and delta groups. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Despite the small groups with non-original strains, we suppose neurotropism regardless of different strains. As millions of survivors may present CD, there is an urgent need for health policies to provide multidisciplinary treatment and rehabilitation to improve workability and quality of life. Further studies with larger samples may disclose the protective role of vaccination in preventing CD. <b>Disclosure:</b> Dr. Karmann Aventurato has received research support from Coordenadoria de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Ensino Superior (CAPES). Mateus Nogueira has nothing to disclose. Lucas Silva has nothing to disclose. Prof. João has received research support from FAPESP. Mr. Becchelli has nothing to disclose. Alan Ferreira dos Santos has nothing to disclose. Leila Camila Santos Silva has nothing to disclose. Mariana Brito has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cendes has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for UCB Pharma. Dr. Cendes has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for UCB Biopharma. Dr. Cendes has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for United Medical – Brazil. Dr. Cendes has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Zodiac Pharma . Dr. Cendes has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Eurofarma – Brazil . Dr. Cendes has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Epilepsia. Dr. Cendes has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Frontiers in Neurology - Epilepsy. The institution of Dr. Cendes has received research support from São Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP. The institution of Dr. Cendes has received research support from Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - Brazil . The institution of Dr. Cendes has received research support from NIH. Clarissa Yasuda has nothing to disclose.