Mild Or Moderate COVID-19 Causes Accelerated Brain Aging Especially In Young To Early Middle-Aged Adults!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 12, 2024 7 months, 2 weeks, 4 days, 6 hours, 25 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: The Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has been a global health crisis with far-reaching consequences, extending beyond the acute phase of the disease. One of the emerging concerns is the impact on cognitive function, often referred to as Post-acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC) or Long COVID. This
COVID-19 News report covers a new study by researchers from the University of Texas at Austin that delved into the neurological repercussions of mild to moderate COVID-19, specifically focusing on brain aging and its potential implications for cognitive health.
COVID-19 Causes Accelerated Brain Aging
The Brain Age Gap (BAG) as a Biomarker
Cognitive decline has been identified as a prevalent long-term consequence of COVID-19, leading to what is colloquially known as "brain fog." To unravel the mysteries behind this cognitive impairment, the researchers aimed to quantify brain aging in individuals who had experienced mild to moderate COVID-19. Utilizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the innovative concept of Brain Age Gap (BAG), the team explored the differences between brain age and chronological age in a cohort of 25 mild to moderate COVID-19 survivors and 24 non-infected controls, all aged around 30 years.
Accelerated Brain Aging in COVID-19 Survivors
The findings revealed a significant 2.65-year increase in BAG in the COVID-19 group compared to the control group. Notably, 80% of the COVID-19 survivors demonstrated an accelerated BAG, a stark contrast to the mere 13% observed in the control group. This accelerated brain aging was also correlated with lower cognitive function, particularly in attention and processing speed.
Gender Disparities and Other Influencing Factors
A notable aspect of the study was the identification of gender-related disparities in accelerated BAG, with females in the COVID-19 group showing a 99% decreased risk compared to males. Additionally, a small but significant decrease in the risk for accelerated BAG was associated with a longer time since COVID-19 diagnosis. These findings hint at potential subgroups within COVID-19 survivors who may exhibit varying trajectories of brain health over time.
Potential Mechanisms: ACE2 Expression and Inflammation
To elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying accelerated brain aging in COVID-19 survivors, the researchers explored the upregulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression in the brain. SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, uses ACE2 receptors to enter human cells. ACE2 expression, upregulated in the brain post-COVID-19, is crucial for the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which plays a role in both blood pressure regulation and cognitive function. Dysregulation of the RAS system with age is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting a link between ACE2 upregulation and accelerated brain aging.
Another potential contributor to accelerated brain aging is chronic infl
ammation, commonly referred to as "inflammaging." Inflammation, especially in the context of COVID-19, has been associated with neurodegeneration and may impact cognitive function through various pathways, including serotonin levels and neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex.
Implications and Future Directions
The study's findings provide a novel biomarker, BAG, to assess the impact of COVID-19 on brain health, especially in younger individuals with mild to moderate disease severity. The identification of gender-related disparities and the association with ACE2 expression open avenues for further research into targeted therapies for specific subgroups of COVID-19 survivors.
The researchers highlight the need for future studies to explore the potential improvement in BAG over time and its association with cognitive recovery. Longitudinal studies could offer valuable insights into different trajectories of brain health after COVID-19, paving the way for precision medicine by biotyping patients based on their brain aging patterns.
Additionally, the study underscores the importance of lifestyle factors in mitigating accelerated brain aging. Dietary and nutritional interventions, physical activity (with caution in post-COVID patients), and addressing symptoms like anxiety and depression through interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy may play a role in protecting against accelerated brain aging.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the University of Texas at Austin's research sheds light on the previously understudied cognitive outcomes in mild to moderate COVID-19 survivors, emphasizing the potential link between the virus and accelerated brain aging. The identification of gender disparities and the exploration of underlying mechanisms such as ACE2 expression and inflammation pave the way for targeted interventions and further research into the complexities of COVID-19's impact on cognitive health. As the world continues to grapple with the aftermath of the pandemic, understanding the long-term consequences, especially on neurological function, remains paramount for effective healthcare strategies.
The study findings were published on a preprint server and are currently being peer reviewed.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.03.05.24303816v1
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