Your browser doesn't support javascript.
QUINOLINIC ACID IS A BIOMARKER of COVID-19-ASSOCIATED COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
Topics in Antiviral Medicine ; 30(1 SUPPL):249, 2022.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-1880130
ABSTRACT

Background:

COVID-19 infection-associated cognitive and olfaction impairments have an unclear pathogenesis, possibly related to systemic disease severity, hypoxia, or illness-associated anxiety and depression. A biomarker for these neurocognitive changes is lacking. The kynurenine pathway (KP) is an interferon stimulated myeloid cell mediated tryptophan degradation pathway important in immune tolerance, neurotoxicity and vascular injury, that is dysregulated in COVID-19. We hypothesized that neurocognitive impairments were associated with an activated KP.

Methods:

The current analysis includes COVID-19 patients as part of the ADAPT study, a prospective cohort (St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Australia). Disease severity was assessed with 18 acute symptoms and hospitalization status. Blood samples were taken 2 months (N=136) and 4 months (N=121) post diagnosis along with cognitive (Cogstate Computerized Battery, CBB;NIH toolbox Odor Identification Test, OIT) and mental health screenings (DMI-10;IESR, SPHERE-34 Psychological subscale grouped into a composite score). KP metabolites (PIC, QUIN, 3HK, 3HAA, AA, KYN, TRP, log for analyses except for TRP) were measured by GC-MS and uHPLC. The CBB and OIT data were demographically-corrected. CBB follow-up data was also corrected for practice effect. Linear mixed effect regression models with time effect (days post diagnosis) tested whether cognition, and olfaction were associated the KP (main and time interaction);while correcting for disease severity, mental health and comorbidities.

Results:

136 patients mean age=46±15;40% females;90% English speaking background;disease severity 40% mild, 50% moderate, 10% severe/hospitalised;34% treated comorbidities. At 2 months post diagnosis, 16% had cognitive impairment, and 25% had impaired olfaction. Cognitive impairment was more common in those with anosmia (p=.05). At 4 months, 23% had cognition impairment and 20% had impaired olfaction. QUIN (p=.001), 3HAA (p<.0001) increased over the study period, while TRP decreased (p=.02). QUIN level associated with poorer cognitive scores (p=.0007;QUIN (nM) between 800-1000 was most predictive). There was no time∗QUIN interaction. QUIN association to cognition persisted when severe cases were excluded (p<.005).

Conclusion:

COVID-19 is associated with KP activation, and the latter with cognitive impairment. QUIN was the only biomarker associated with cognitive impairment, and may be useful in monitoring and elucidating COVID-19 neuropathogenesis and treatment.
Keywords
Search on Google
Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: Topics in Antiviral Medicine Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS

Search on Google
Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: Topics in Antiviral Medicine Year: 2022 Document Type: Article