COVID-19 and cognitive performance: a Mendelian randomization study

Frontiers in Public Health

Public Health

Gloria Hoi-Yee Li¹  Ching-Man Tang¹  Ching-Lung Cheung² 

[1]Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China

[2]Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China

关键词: SARS-CoV-2 infection;    COVID-19;    cognitive performance;    inflammatory markers;    Mendelian randomization;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpubh.2023.1185957

 received in 2023-03-14, accepted in 2023-08-08,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundA substantial proportion of individuals with COVID-19 experienced cognitive impairment after resolution of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We aimed to evaluate whether genetic liability to SARS-CoV-2 infection per se, or more severe COVID-19, is causally linked to cognitive deficit.MethodsWe firstly performed univariable Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to examine whether genetic liability to SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalized and severe COVID-19 is causally associated with cognitive performance. To dissect the causal pathway, multivariable MR (MVMR) analysis was conducted by adjusting for five inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumour necrosis factor α, as proxies of systemic inflammation].ResultsIn univariable MR analysis, host genetic liability to SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with lower cognitive performance [inverse variance weighted (IVW) analysis, estimate: −0.023; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): −0.038 to −0.009]. Such causal association was attenuated in MVMR analysis when we adjusted for the five correlated inflammatory markers in one analysis (IVW analysis, estimate: −0.022; 95% CI: −0.049 to 0.004). There was insufficient evidence of association for genetic liability to hospitalized and severe COVID-19 with cognitive performance.ConclusionThe causal effect of host genetic liability to SARS-CoV-2 infection on reduced cognitive performance may be mediated by systemic inflammation. Future studies examining whether anti-inflammatory agents could alleviate cognitive impairment in SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals are warranted.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
Copyright © 2023 Tang, Li and Cheung.