Cognitive function following SARS-CoV-2 infection in a population-representative Canadian sample

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Background:

• SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection may impact brain function, but effects on cognition and decision-making in non-elderly adults are understudied.
• Research is needed to understand the cognitive consequences of COVID-19 in the general adult population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection status and COVID-19 symptom severity with cognitive dysfunction in young and middle-aged adults.
• To assess the impact on executive control and decision-making using self-reported symptoms and a standardized task.

Main Methods:

• A survey of 1958 adults (mean age 37) assessed SARS-CoV-2 infection history and COVID-19 symptom severity.
• Cognitive dysfunction was measured using the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS) and a delay-discounting task.

Main Results:

• Adults with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection reported more cognitive dysfunction symptoms than uninfected individuals.
• A dose-response relationship was observed between COVID-19 symptom severity and cognitive dysfunction.
• These associations persisted after controlling for demographics, vaccination, and other factors.

Conclusions:

• A history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and moderate-to-severe COVID-19 symptoms are linked to significant cognitive dysfunction.
• Cognitive deficits and amplified delay discounting were observed in infected young and middle-aged adults.