Cognitive Function 1 Year After COVID Infection

While emerging evidence suggests a potential link between COVID-19 and cognitive impairment, there is a lack of prospective longitudinal research that objectively assesses cognitive outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study aims to evaluate changes in cognitive function following COVID-19 in a group of individuals with baseline pre-infectious cognitive assessments.

In this cohort study, cognitive function was objectively measured using the computerized Cognivue Clarity® device. All participants who had available Cognivue® testing were followed with a second Cognivue® assessment ∼1 year later. Based on whether they contracted COVID-19 during this period, participants were categorized into 2 groups according to COVID status.

We enrolled 110 participants with a median age of 45 years, 35% females and 46% white; 55 (50%) participants experienced a documented COVID-19 infection during the follow-up period (COVID + group), and the rest remained free of COVID infection (COVID- group). COVID- and COVID + groups were balanced for demographics and duration of follow-up. In the COVID + group, only memory scores changed during follow-up (+3.9; P = .03). The COVID- group showed improvements in the overall Cognivue® score (+2; P = .03), as well as in visuospatial (+1.9; P = .04), executive function (+2.2; P = .02), and naming language (+2.2; P = .01) scores. No statistically significant differences were observed in the overall cognitive score or its subdomains between the 2 groups.

In a 45-year-old average population, no decrease in cognitive function was observed 1 year after COVID-19 infection.