The neuropsychiatric features of Long COVID in older adults and the potential association with neuroinflammation: Preliminary observations in a small cohort.

BACKGROUND

The underlying mechanism of neuropsychiatric features of Long COVID remains unclear; however, the most compelling hypothesis is the contribution of excessive neuroinflammation induced by a systemic inflammatory response or cytokine storm. We aimed to investigate the neuropsychiatric features of Long COVID in older adults and the potential association with neuroinflammation measured by [18F]FEPPA positron emission tomography (PET) targeting translocator protein (TSPO).

METHODS

A total of 24 individuals aged 60 or older participated in the study: those with Long COVID symptoms and persistent subjective or objective cognitive impairments for more than six months (n = 12) and age-matched healthy adults without Long COVID (n = 12). After assessments with neuropsychiatric scales and cognitive testing batteries, three Long COVID and three healthy control participants, who were high-affinity binders to TSPO, underwent additional brain [18F]FEPPA PET scans.

RESULTS

Long COVID group (n = 12) showed significantly higher levels of depression and fatigue compared to the healthy control group (n = 12). With [18F]FEPPA PET, the Long COVID group (n = 3) showed significantly higher binding levels in all compared brain regions, such as the prefrontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital neocortices, and the hippocampus, thalamus, and cerebellum, compared to the healthy control group (n = 3).

CONCLUSION

Older adults with Long COVID showed greater neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as depression and fatigue, compared to healthy older adults. The [18F]FEPPA PET findings suggest that their persistent neuropsychiatric symptoms could potentially be associated with chronic neuroinflammation.