Time-dependent recovery of brain hypometabolism in neuro-COVID-19 patients.

Purpose: We evaluated brain metabolic dysfunctions and associations with neurological and biological parameters in acute, subacute and chronic COVID-19 phases to provide deeper insights into the pathophysiology of the disease. Methods: Twenty-six patients with neurological symptoms (neuro-COVID-19)...

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Published in:European Journal of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Vol. 50; no. 1; pp. 90 - 103
Main Authors: Martini, Anna Lisa, Carli, Giulia, Kiferle, Lorenzo, Piersanti, Patrizia, Palumbo, Pasquale, Morbelli, Silvia, Calcagni, Maria Lucia, Perani, Daniela, Sestini, Stelvio
Format: Journal Article
Published: Springer Nature Dec2022
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Dec2022
      vid: 50
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      pub: Springer Nature
      place: New York, New York
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        160255973
        10.1007/s00259-022-05942-2
        160255973
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        atl: Time-dependent recovery of brain hypometabolism in neuro-COVID-19 patients.
      aug:
        au:
          Martini, Anna Lisa
          Carli, Giulia
          Kiferle, Lorenzo
          Piersanti, Patrizia
          Palumbo, Pasquale
          Morbelli, Silvia
          Calcagni, Maria Lucia
          Perani, Daniela
          Sestini, Stelvio
        affil: Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, N.O.P. - S. Stefano, U.S.L. Toscana Centro, Prato, Italy
      sug:
      ab: Purpose: We evaluated brain metabolic dysfunctions and associations with neurological and biological parameters in acute, subacute and chronic COVID-19 phases to provide deeper insights into the pathophysiology of the disease. Methods: Twenty-six patients with neurological symptoms (neuro-COVID-19) and [18F]FDG-PET were included. Seven patients were acute (< 1 month (m) after onset), 12 subacute (4 ≥ 1-m, 4 ≥ 2-m and 4 ≥ 3-m) and 7 with neuro-post-COVID-19 (3 ≥ 5-m and 4 ≥ 7–9-m). One patient was evaluated longitudinally (acute and 5-m). Brain hypo- and hypermetabolism were analysed at single-subject and group levels. Correlations between severity/extent of brain hypo- and hypermetabolism and biological (oxygen saturation and C-reactive protein) and clinical variables (global cognition and Body Mass Index) were assessed. Results: The "fronto-insular cortex" emerged as the hypometabolic hallmark of neuro-COVID-19. Acute patients showed the most severe hypometabolism affecting several cortical regions. Three-m and 5-m patients showed a progressive reduction of hypometabolism, with limited frontal clusters. After 7–9 months, no brain hypometabolism was detected. The patient evaluated longitudinally showed a diffuse brain hypometabolism in the acute phase, almost recovered after 5 months. Brain hypometabolism correlated with cognitive dysfunction, low blood saturation and high inflammatory status. Hypermetabolism in the brainstem, cerebellum, hippocampus and amygdala persisted over time and correlated with inflammation status. Conclusion: Synergistic effects of systemic virus-mediated inflammation and transient hypoxia yield a dysfunction of the fronto-insular cortex, a signature of CNS involvement in neuro-COVID-19. This brain dysfunction is likely to be transient and almost reversible. The long-lasting brain hypermetabolism seems to reflect persistent inflammation processes.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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