Approved Research

Changes in resting state fMRI and cognitive scores associated with SARS-CoV-2 in the UK Biobank

Lay summary

We aim to address the important question of what are the changes in brain function following Covid-19 infection (also referred to as the long-covid) and how they are associated with cognitive functions such as memory, reasoning or problem-solving.

Previous studies have found that there are differences in brain structure and performance on tasks measuring cognitive function between people who had and had not been infected with Covid-19, and within the same people before and after infection. However, it is yet unclear whether Covid-19 infection further affects the interactions between different brain areas, and how these might correspond to changes in cognitive function. Another unresolved question is whether vaccination prior to infection alleviate the brain changes and cognitive symptoms associated with of long-covid.

We aim to answer these questions in our three-year-long research project. The results of our study could inform the debate concerning the long-lasting effects of Covid-19. More generally, the research into long-lasting effects of infectious diseases can provide necessary data for public health strategies. Additionally, the potential effect of vaccinations on severity of long-covid symptoms could likewise inform policy making regarding access to and promotion for Covid-19 vaccines in the future.