Persisting cognitive impairments, including ‘brain fog’, afflict some people after COVID-19 infection. Its cause is unknown, but there are a range of hypotheses. Paul will present the latest evidence about the magnitude and duration of risk, before Max summarises the findings from a prospective cohort study of 1837 people hospitalised for COVID-19 infection. Results from the study reveal two acute biomarker profiles that independently predict risk of subsequent cognitive impairment. Both profiles suggest coagulopathy (‘microclots’) at the time of infection as an underlying mechanism, with one pointing to the Brian and the other pointing to the lungs as a possible location of clots. A complementary study using health records suggest that one profile is specific to COVID-19, whereas the other may be relevant to cognitive impairment more generally. Strengths and limitations of the data will be discussed.

This seminar will be held in the Seminar Room at the Department of Psychiatry, to join online, please use the Zoom link below:

zoom.us/j/94457342362?pwd=bCtoSXlaSjRNejBMaXluSTMwVWdVQT09
Meeting ID: 944 5734 2362
Passcode: 051588