ABSTRACT
An open prospective study to determine the clinical features of mental disorders in patients with the new coronavirus infection and its connection with the permeability of the blood-brain barrier included 97 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 of varying severity, but without signs of mental disorders in the anamnesis. Somatoform, neurotic and depressive disorders of mild or moderate severity were detected in 45.4% of cases, however, a number of patients (13.4%) had severe degree of disorders, including those with pronounced suicidal ideation. During the immunochemical study, an increase of the level of neurospecific proteins (GFAP and NSE) in blood serum has been detected, however, no reliable correlation of psychopathological symptoms with the results of the analysis of neurospecific proteins could be detected at the present stage. It is assumed that when the blood-brain barrier is permeated, a direct toxic effect on the nervous tissue makes such an oppressive impact that it prevents the development of structurally complex psychopathological formations. © 2021, V. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Narcology. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Introduction. The COVD-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 continues from March 2020. The virus primarily affects the respiratory system. Moreover, there is new data about the various organ damage caused by COVID-19 such as heart, skin, kidney and central nervous system. That’s why it is necessary to investigate the neurological features of the COVID-19. The aim of the study. To investigate the effect of COVID-19 on the cognitive functions of hospitalized patients. Materials and methods. the PCR-positive patients hospitalized at the University Clinical Hospital No. 3 had been included in the study since March 2020 for May 2021. Thorax CT scan, physical and neurological examination, the biochemical blood test was provided for all patients. The neuropsychological examination was made by: MoCA, TMTA, TMTB, and emotional condition was tested by HADS. Results. 33 patients (21 (64.6%) women) were included;the median age was 73.0 [67.0;76.0]. The average MoCA value was 22.64 points, median: 24.00 points [20.00;25.00], median TMTA execution speed: 68 seconds [49.00;84.00], TMTB: 194 seconds [153;245.75]. HADS (depression) median: 7.0 [5.00;9.00], for HADS (anxiety) median: 8.0 [4.00;10.00]. A link between the olfactory disorders and low MoCA results (p = 0.015) was found according to the regression analysis. Moreover, the patient’s age, lung damage degree had a negative impact on the duration of TMTB (p = 0.001 and p = 0.049). The propensity score matching was made to confirm that the olfactory disturbances, regardless of other factors, are associated with a lower MoCA result (p = 0.012). Conclusion. The potential mechanisms, modality, defect duration and pharmacological response of cognitive disorders have a great interest. That’s why it is necessary to conduct clinical and experimental studies on patients, pathomorphological material and animal models. © 2022, Remedium Group Ltd. All rights reserved.