Cognitive Impairment and Fatigue After Mild to Moderate COVID-19

Cognitive Impairment and Fatigue After Mild to Moderate COVID-19 - Relation to Biomarkers and Neuronal Network Functions

The primary aim of the project is to map fatigue, cognitive and visual dysfunctions and possible underlying pathophysiological mechanisms in persons with long-term symptoms after a mild to moderate COVID-19 infection. Secondary goals are to study whether covarying factors such as depression and sleep disorders contribute to the results.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Cognitive Impairment; Post COVID-19 Condition; Fatigue, Mental
• Intervention / Treatment: Diagnostic test: Neuropsychological investigation; Diagnostic test: Optometric investigation; Diagnostic test: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Diagnostic test: Immunological biomarkers

Detailed Description

The primary aim of the project is to map neuropsychological and visual dysfunctions and possible underlying pathophysiological mechanisms in patients suffering from Post-COVID condition (PCC) after a mild to moderate COVID-19 infection. Secondary goals are to study whether covarying factors such as depression and sleep disorders contribute to the results.

The main objectives are:

1. Which cognitive problems (self-reported and test results/performance based?) are typical in patients with post-COVID syndrome compared to non-symptomatic controls?
2. Which pre-existing factors affect cognitive functions and fatigue after a mild to moderate COVID-19 infection?
3. Is there a relationship between self-perceived symptoms, cognitive and visual test results, optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination, imaging results, and biomarkers in patients who have undergone mild COVID-19 infection and does this differ compared to non-symptomatic controls?
4. How are fatigue, cognitive fatigability and vision-related disorders related to neuronal correlates and changes in the retina examined with OCT and biomarkers (astocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (High Mobility Group Box 1 (Hmbg1) and S100B) and inflammatory markers) in patients who have remaining symptoms after a mild COVID-19 infection and do the results differ from what can be seen in non-symptomatic controls?
5. Are specific cognitive dysfunctions and fatigue/cognitive fatigability correlated with astocyte-derived extracellular vesicles in patients who have remaining symptoms after a mild COVID-19 infection?
6. How do symptoms evolve over one and two years?

STUDY DESIGN The study is a controlled longitudinal cohort study that includes cross-sectional sub-studies of imaging and biomarkers.

STUDY SETTING Outpatient rehabilitation clinic at the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Danderyd University Hospital and Karolinska University Hospital, both located in Stockholm, Sweden. At the Cognitive post-COVID clinic at Danderyd University Hospital, patients with long-term cognitive problems and fatigue are investigated after a mild to moderat (not ICU treated) COVID-19 infection. Clinical assessments are included for all participants but in a sub-study we will consecutively invite participants to also investigate vision and eye functions, brain connectivity and, biomarkers.

PARTICIPANTS PATIENTS All patients present at the Cognitive Post-COVID clinic att the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Danderyd University Hospital will have a medical examination. Those patients with cognitive dysfunctions related to a COVID-19 infection will be offered a comprehensive neuropsychological investigation and asked if they are interested in participating in the cohort study.

The first 100 patients are consecutively asked if they also are interested in taking biomarkers. Of these, up to 30 patients, meeting the inclusion criteria for functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) are asked for participation in the a sub-study including an fMRI investigation as well as an optometric and OCT investigation.

NON-SYMPTOMATIC CONTROLS 50 healthy controls who do not suffer from long term symptoms after a COVID-19 infection >3 months from the latest infections or have not had a COVID-19 infection will be investigated for comparison. The same exclusion criteria as for the patients are applied also for the controls. The non-symptomatic controls will undergo neuropsychological examination, examination of visual functions, sampling of biomarkers, as well as fMRI examination and an OCT examination. The controls will be matched with the patients regarding age, gender and length of education.

The patients will be followed-up with questionnaires regarding current symptoms after 1 and 2 years after the neuropsychological investigation.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 100

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Marika C Möller, PhD; Phone Number: +46812358555; Email: marika.moller@regionstockholm.se
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Kristian Borg, Professor; Phone Number: +46704657065; Email: kristian.borg@ki.se

Study Locations

• Sweden
  • Stockholm, Sweden, 18288
    • Recruiting
    • Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Danderyd Hospital
    • Contact: Marika C Möller, PhD; Phone Number: +46812358555; Email: marika.moller@ki.se
    • Contact: Kristian Borg, Professor; Phone Number: +46704657065; Email: kristian.borg@ki.se
    • Principal Investigator: Kristian Borg, Professor
    • Principal Investigator: Marika C Möller, PhD
    • Sub-Investigator: Jonas Stenberg, PhD
    • Sub-Investigator: Love E Nordin, PhD
    • Sub-Investigator: Jan Johansson, PhD
    • Sub-Investigator: Monika Löfgren, PhD
    • Sub-Investigator: Gabriela Markovic, PhD
    • Sub-Investigator: Tobias Granberg, PhD
    • Sub-Investigator: Fariborz Mobarrez, PhD
    • Sub-Investigator: Stina Hedström, MSc
    • Sub-Investigator: Sonia M Hedberg, MSc

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Outpatients with long term (>3 months) cognitive symptoms and fatigue after a SARS-CoV-2 infection and present at the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Danderyd University Hospital

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Persons 18 years and older with a history of (> 3 months) verified COVID-19 (PCR / rapid test / antibody) or an infection that is most likely a SARS-CoV-2 infection (e.g., a close relative had a verified infection that coincided in time with the patient's illness) and who have persistent problems with cognitive impairment or fatigue affecting the return to previous activities / employment.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Dominant recurrent and / or fluctuating symptoms of infection, circulatory, respiratory or cardiac problems.
• Co-morbidities that may cause cognitive impairment such as neurodegenerative disease, substance abuse, severe mental illness (eg. schizophrenia, mano depressive disorder) or severe depression.
• Not fluent in Swedish, as test and self-reports rely on good mastering of the Swedish language.
• Severe premorbid visual impairment.

Additionally for the fMRI study:

• Not verified SARS-CoV-2 infection with a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) / rapid test / antibody review
• Traumatic brain injury
• Neuropsychiatric disease such as diagnosed ADHD or autism
• Younger than 25 years or older than 55 years (to avoid the risk that the brain is not fully developed or that there is a risk of age-related changes in the brain).
• MRI contraindications (such as metal objects in the body, fear of cramped spaces, pregnancy, body weight over 130 kg), and left-handedness (to increase the likelihood of uniform topological lateralization in the cohort).

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Post-COVID condition; Patients experiencing persisting cognitive dysfunction and fatigue after a SARS-CoV-2 infection, three months or more after the infections	Diagnostic test: Neuropsychological investigation; Comprehensive neuropsychological test battery covering logical reasoning, different attention functions, executive functions, visuospatial functions, different memory functions, psychomotor speed, motor functions, and smell identification; Diagnostic test: Optometric investigation; Extended vision examination including symptom assessment, visual acuity, visual field (confrontation), eye movements, eye teaming and clinical assessment of hypersensitivity to visual stimuli.; Diagnostic test: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; The MRI sequence protocol includes resting state fMRI before and after the participants do an established 20 min long reaction time measurement paradigm (E-prime). During the paradigm a pseudo-continious arterial spin labeling sequence (pCASL) is acquired for continuous measurement of brain perfusion. Following the functional sequences the imaging protocol also includes a high resolution 3D T1weighted sequence Magnetization Prepared Rapid Gradient Echo (MPRAGE) for brain structure, a high resolution 3D T2-weighted sequence Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) for pathology and a 3D susceptibility weighted image (SWI) for microvascular abnormalities.; Diagnostic test: Immunological biomarkers; Venous blood samples (10-20 ml) are taken from the elbow crease. They are drawn in the morning, and the participants are asked to fast for 12 hours prior to sampling. They are also asked to avoid physical activity prior to blood sampling. The samples are drawn into citrated tubes.
Non-symptomatic controls; Persons experiencing no symptoms after the SARS-CoV-2 infection or have not been subject for at SARS-CoV-2 infection	Diagnostic test: Neuropsychological investigation; Comprehensive neuropsychological test battery covering logical reasoning, different attention functions, executive functions, visuospatial functions, different memory functions, psychomotor speed, motor functions, and smell identification; Diagnostic test: Optometric investigation; Extended vision examination including symptom assessment, visual acuity, visual field (confrontation), eye movements, eye teaming and clinical assessment of hypersensitivity to visual stimuli.; Diagnostic test: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; The MRI sequence protocol includes resting state fMRI before and after the participants do an established 20 min long reaction time measurement paradigm (E-prime). During the paradigm a pseudo-continious arterial spin labeling sequence (pCASL) is acquired for continuous measurement of brain perfusion. Following the functional sequences the imaging protocol also includes a high resolution 3D T1weighted sequence Magnetization Prepared Rapid Gradient Echo (MPRAGE) for brain structure, a high resolution 3D T2-weighted sequence Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) for pathology and a 3D susceptibility weighted image (SWI) for microvascular abnormalities.; Diagnostic test: Immunological biomarkers; Venous blood samples (10-20 ml) are taken from the elbow crease. They are drawn in the morning, and the participants are asked to fast for 12 hours prior to sampling. They are also asked to avoid physical activity prior to blood sampling. The samples are drawn into citrated tubes.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Fatigability from Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)-IV Coding Test	The subject must fill in the blank spaces with the symbol which is paired to the number for 120 seconds. Cognitive fatigue is assessed by subtracting the number of digits produced in the first 30 seconds from the number of digits produced in the last 30 seconds during the full 120-second period. A non-ascending score (< 0) is considered an indicator of cognitive fatigue. Both the total value in the difference between the production between 0-30 seconds and 91-120 seconds are measured, and a dichotomized variable (non-ascending value) will be used.	baseline
Buschke selective reminding test (BSRT)	The BSRT measure verbal learning and long-term memory. The subject hears a list of 12 unrelated words and immediately after that have to recall as many of these 12 words as possible. On each subsequent trial, the subject only hears the words that the subject did not recall on the immediately preceding trial. The test proceed in this manner until the subject can correctly recall all 12 words on two consecutive trials, or until 12 trials have been completed. Through assessing the recall of items that are not presented on a given trial, this test is believed to distinguish between retrieval from long-term storage (LTS) and short-term recall (STR). Consistent recalled words (CLTS) are thought to represent executive aspects of the learning process. After the learning phase, the subject is asked to free recall the words after a 30-minute delay. A cued recall and a multiple-choice condition are also included in the test.	baseline
Ruff 2&7	Ruff 2 & 7 measures sustained and selective attention as a continuous performance test during 5 minutes. The subject has to identify and cancel the target digits (2 and 7) among distractors; either letters (automatic sustained attention) or numbers (controlled selective attention), in random order. Both accuracy and speed are measured. Higher scores mean better performance. Performance is evaluated according to the test manual.	baseline
Fatigability on e-prime vigilance task in the fMRI scanner	The participants are instructed to push a button as quick as they can when a set of four zeroes appears in a red rectangle and do nothing if other numbers appear. After each response visual feedback of the reaction time is displayed. If the participant reacts at a false stimulus or if the response time of more than 1 sec. the feedback "false answer" or "no answer" is displayed respectively. The stimuli are presented at random intervals.	baseline
Task-based fMRI	Cerebral perfusion changes during reaction time paradigm.	baseline
Resting-state fMRI	Changes in functional connectivity after performance of a reaction time paradigm.	baseline
Developmental Eye Movement Test	Saccadic eye movements are assessed with the Developmental Eye Movement Test. In the first step, the subject read 40 one-digit numbers arranged in two columns. Time duration and reading errors are measured. This is repeated with a new set of numbers where the subject read 80 numbers distributed over 16 horizontal lines. There are 5 irregularly spaced numbers per line, intended to mimic the way the eyes make saccadic movements during reading. For at ratio the total time duration for reading numbers horizontally is divided by the total time for reading numbers vertically.	baseline
Visual Motion Sensitivity	Sensitivity to movement in the environment was assessed according to the Visual Motion Sensitivity Clinical Test Protocol. The subject is asked to stand and gaze straight ahead at a fixation mark on the wall at eye level at 4 m distance. An Opto Kinetic Nystagmus drum is held at 25 cm from the face. The drum is rotated at slow-medium velocity while the subject is asked to grade symptoms on a scale of 0-10, where zero means no bother at all and 10 a strong effect of nauseous or somatic or visual sensation.	baseline
Biomarkers	S100B, Astrocyte-derived Extracellular Vesicles (EV) and High Mobility Group Box 1 (Hmbg1). Exploratory targeted analyses using panels of cytokines & chemokines and neuroinflammation will also be used.	baseline
Symptom questionnaire	The subject rates 32 different cognitive, emotional and physical symptoms where 0 represents have not had this symptom at all, 1 = have had the symptom but is not a problem anymore, 2 = is still a small problem, 3 = is a moderate problem, and 4 = a severe problem. A maximum score is 128 points.	baseline and 1 year and 2 years after the neuropsychological assessment
Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20	The MFI-20 consists of five scales, based on different modes of expressing fatigue. Each scale contains four items for which the subject indicates on a seven-point scale to what extent the statement applies best. 'General fatigue' includes general statements concerning a person's functioning. 'Physical fatigue' refers to the physical sensation related to the feeling of tiredness. 'Reduced activities' measures reduction in activities and 'Reduced motivation' lack of motivation. 'Mental fatigue' measures cognitive symptoms related to fatigue. Some sentences are inverted and need to be rescored. On each scales the higher values the higher fatigue.	baseline and 1 year and 2 years after the neuropsychological assessment
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)	A rapid screening test consisting of seven different domains including 1) visuospatial/executive functions, 2) naming, 3) memory, 4) attention, 5) language, 6) abstraction, and 7) orientation. The total score is 30 points +1 point adjustment for low education); normal functioning is considered from score of 26 and above.	baseline and 1 year and 2 years after the neuropsychological assessment
The Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) Color-Word Test	Inhibition of over-learned verbal responses. The test has four conditions: 1) naming colors (red, blue or green, 2) reading color words printed in black, 3) naming the color of the color words red, blue or green write in a different color than what is written, which means inhibition of an over-learned function of reading the word; 4) repeatedly switching between naming colors and reading out the printed words as quickly as possible, while at the same time the person needs to keep track of clues that indicate rule change. Contrast scores are used to examine the performance of the more complex tasks 3 and 4 and the basic tasks 1 and 2. The faster the time, the better	baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Visual Analog Scale of Fatigue	Measurement of self-rated current fatigue level. Ranges from 0 (corresponding to no fatigue) to 10 (corresponding to the worst possible fatigue)	baseline
D-KEFS Word Fluency Test	The test measures expressive language skills, initiative and working memory and consists of three different conditions: verbal phonological flow (1) where the test person for 60 seconds produces as many unique words as possible that begins with a given letter., category flow (2) where the test person for 60 seconds per category produce as many unique words as possible in two given semantic categories and category change (3) where the test person in 60 seconds produce so many unique words and switch between two specified semantic categories every other time. The more words, the better the performance.	baseline
WAIS-IV Digit Span	The test person must repeat numbers that the test leader reads out the leader reads out. The number of digits is increased by one unit every two times). The test person repeats the numbers in the same order (forward repetition) or reverse order (backward repetition). Forward repetition measures auditory attention span and short-term memory, while backward repetition measures auditory working memory. Both the total number of digits, forward, backward, and the difference between forward and backward repetition will be measured	baseline
Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS)	Measures symptoms while reading and near activities and intended for symptom assessment in the presence of convergence insufficiency. It includes 15 questions on symptoms and the patient is asked to grade how frequently each symptom occurs: Never (0), Infrequently (1), Sometimes (2), Fairly often (3), or Always (4). A score of 21 is considered useful as a cut-off.	baseline
Brain Injury Vision Symptom Survey measuring general vision-related symptoms (BIVSS)	BIVSS is originally intended for visual symptom assessment in patients with mild to moderate brain injury. BIVSS includes 28 questions covering seven areas of symptoms: visual clarity/acuity, visual comfort, double vision, photosensitivity, dry eyes, depth perception, visual field, and reading. BIVSS is administered as an interview and for each question the patient is asked to grade how often the symptom occur: Never (0), Seldom (1), Occasionally (2), Frequently (3), or Always (4). A cut-off score of 31 is considered useful for symptom screening.	baseline
Rey-Complex Figure Test (RCFT)	The RCFT is a visual learning and memory test that also measures other cognitive dimensions, including visuospatial construction skills, fine motor coordination, and planning. The test consists of four subtests: 1) copying, when the subject without time pressure, the time is recorded, is allowed to watch the figure and at the same time depict it without rotating or turning the figure. Immediately afterwards the template is withdrawn, and the subject has to 2) draw the figure again from memory (immediate reproduction). 3) After about 30 minutes (in between, other tests are carried out), the subject must again draw the figure from memory (delayed reproduction), and finally the subject has to 4) select from a booklet possible components from the figure (recognition).	baseline
D-KEFS Trail Making Test	The TMT measure visual perceptual function, attention, cognitive flexibility, processing speed, and motor speed. The test distinguish whether any weaknesses are due to deficits in underlying skills measured with the subtests 1-3 and 5 (visual scanning, letter or number sequencing or motor speed) or in cognitive flexibility (subtest 4), which is the main measure of the test. The subject is tasked with drawing lines between circles with either letters or numbers or nothing inside. The test subject is asked to complete the tasks as quickly and correctly as possible. The time to perform is measured. The lower score the better the result.	baseline
Optical coherence tomography (OCT)	Detection of retinal hemorrhages or abnormal retinal layer thickness.	baseline

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Sniffn' sticks	The Sniffin' Sticks 12 test (Burghardt®, Wedel, Germany) is a smell identification test that measures the ability to recognize 12 common odors. The test is validated in several European countries and has a age and gender separated norms.	baseline
Anatomical MRI	Abnormal volumetric analyses of the brain. Detection of microvascular pathology.	baseline
Other visual functions	The vision examination include visual acuity (Snellen Chart, 4 m), near acuity (near chart), stereo acuity (Lang II test), eye motility, and clinical assessment of fixation, pursuit eye movements, and saccadic eye movements (on cue and self-paced). The patient is instructed to keep the head still during eye movement testing and only move the eyes. One or two pens are used as targets and were presented 60 cm from the eyes of the patients. When testing fixation one target is held at 7 positions for 3-4 seconds: primary position, to the left of the patients, up-left, down-left, right, right-up, and right-down. The patient is instructed to maintain fixation on the target as steadily and carefully as possible.	baseline
Brief Resilient Coping Scale	A 4-item measure designed to capture tendencies to cope with stress in a highly adaptive manner. Scores are ranging from 4-20. The higher scores the better resilience.	baseline
WAIS-IV Matrices	Matrices measure logical reasoning, visual ability, perceptual organization ability, and the ability to process multiple streams of information simultaneously. The subject is presented with an image of geometric shapes that together form a logical pattern. The test taker is asked to choose from 5 possible solutions the one that best fits into the pattern depicted. The tasks become progressively more difficult.	baseline
WAIS-IV Information	Information measures the ability to acquire, remember and retrieve general factual knowledge. The subject is instructed to answer a number of general knowledge questions of progressively more and more difficult nature. The subtest measures crystallized intelligence, and is used as a hold test.	baseline
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)	HADS (41) consists of two subscales measuring depression (HADS-D) and anxiety (HADS-A). Both subscales range from 0 to 21, with scores> 10 indicating a high risk of depression and anxiety respectively.	baseline and 1 year and 2 years after the neuropsychological assessment
Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) Symptoms of disturbed sleep were assessed with ISI (39),	ISI is a comprehensive unidimensional self-report scale measuring insomnia on a 5-point Likert scale. The maximal score is 28. Higher values reflect more symptoms and a cut-off score of 10 is optimal in balancing specificity and sensitivity.	baseline and 1 year and 2 years after the neuropsychological assessment
The RAND 36-Item Health Survey	The RAND 36-Item Health Survey includes eight concepts: physical functioning, bodily pain, role limitations due to physical health problems, role limitations due to personal or emotional problems, emotional well-being, social functioning, energy/fatigue, and general health perceptions. It also includes a single item that provides an indication of perceived change in health.	baseline and 1 year and 2 years after the neuropsychological assessment

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Danderyd Hospital
• Collaborators: Karolinska University Hospital; Karolinska Institutet; Uppsala University Hospital
• Investigators: Study Director: Kristian Borg, Professor, Karolinska Institutet; Principal Investigator: Marika C Möller, PhD, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Danderyd University Hospital

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

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Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 1, 2021
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 7, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 15, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): September 18, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 21, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 18, 2023
• Last Verified: September 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: imaging; fatigue; biomarkers; cognition; COVID-19; neuropsychology; vision
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavioral Symptoms; Mental Disorders; Coronavirus Infections; Coronaviridae Infections; Nidovirales Infections; RNA Virus Infections; Virus Diseases; Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Pneumonia, Viral; Pneumonia; Lung Diseases; Neurocognitive Disorders; Cognition Disorders; COVID-19; Fatigue; Cognitive Dysfunction; Mental Fatigue
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2021-03907_Cognition COVID-19

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No