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Identifying cerebral microstructural changes in patients with COVID-19 using MRI: A systematic review
Fahad H Alhazmi1, Walaa M Alsharif1, Sultan Abdulwadoud Alshoabi1
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
Brain Circulation
|May 8, 2023
Summary
COVID-19 significantly impacts brain microstructure, causing changes like reduced cortical thickness and altered gray matter volume. These cerebral microstructural alterations may link to neurological and mental health changes in patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, has been extensively studied for its neurological effects.
- However, research on COVID-19's impact on cerebral microstructure and function remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize existing studies on cerebral microstructural changes in COVID-19 patients.
- Focus on neuroimaging techniques like quantitative volumetric analysis, BOLD, and DTI.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Semantic Scholar, and Google Scholar (December 2020 - April 2022).
- Inclusion of seven research articles that utilized quantitative volumetric analysis, BOLD, and DTI.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 is associated with significant brain effects, including cerebral hypoperfusion and altered gray matter (GM) volume.
- Findings indicate increased GM volume and reduced cortical thickness.
- The insula and thalamic radiation were identified as frequently affected brain regions and white matter tracts.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 is linked to demonstrable changes in cerebral microstructures.
- These neuroimaging abnormalities may correlate with behavioral, mental, and neurological alterations.
- Further research is needed to carefully consider these findings in patient management.
