Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NEUROCOV (The pandemic within: tackling brain vulnerability in COVID19 at high resolution: NEUROCOV)
Reporting period: 2022-09-01 to 2024-02-29
This project focuses on the long-term neurological and neuropsychiatric complications of infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as an emerging pandemic within the COVID-19 pandemic with a predicted major impact on individual and societal welfare. This project wants to understand the long-term effects COVID-19 can have on our brain and mental health. We have seen more people experiencing ongoing issues like memory problems and mood changes even after they have recovered from the virus. This is especially noticeable with newer variants like omicron and delta.
Numerous reports suggest that inflammation in both the central nervous system and throughout the body might be a big part of why some people develop these lasting problems. But there's still a lot we don't know about how exactly the virus affects our brains and why some people are more affected than others. So, the NEUROCOV project aims to dig deep into these questions. Here is what we are focusing on:
- Understanding the different ways COVID-19 can impact our thinking and memory in the long run.
- Figuring out the specific biological mechanisms behind these effects.
- Identifying which types of brain cells are most vulnerable to the virus and why.
- Creating experimental models that mimic the genetic diversity of people in Europe to help us study these effects better.
- Using artificial intelligence to predict who might be at risk for these long-term brain issues.
- Searching for potential treatments using computer simulations and testing them on laboratory-grown brain organoids from patients.
- Making sure we are listening to and addressing the social challenges faced by people dealing with these long-term effects.
Ultimately, our goal is to better understand and treat the long-term impact COVID-19 can have on our brains and mental health.
Numerous reports suggest that inflammation in both the central nervous system and throughout the body might be a big part of why some people develop these lasting problems. But there's still a lot we don't know about how exactly the virus affects our brains and why some people are more affected than others. So, the NEUROCOV project aims to dig deep into these questions. Here is what we are focusing on:
- Understanding the different ways COVID-19 can impact our thinking and memory in the long run.
- Figuring out the specific biological mechanisms behind these effects.
- Identifying which types of brain cells are most vulnerable to the virus and why.
- Creating experimental models that mimic the genetic diversity of people in Europe to help us study these effects better.
- Using artificial intelligence to predict who might be at risk for these long-term brain issues.
- Searching for potential treatments using computer simulations and testing them on laboratory-grown brain organoids from patients.
- Making sure we are listening to and addressing the social challenges faced by people dealing with these long-term effects.
Ultimately, our goal is to better understand and treat the long-term impact COVID-19 can have on our brains and mental health.
During the project timeline from September 1st, 2022, to February 29th, 2024, our team has engaged in making progress toward the project goals. Here are some highlights:
- In collaboration with partners, we have established two study cohorts, one in Italy and one in Germany, to gather information from people previously infected by COVID-19 and now experiencing neurological and neuropsychiatric issues. We have enrolled a total of 50 participants in Italy and 57 in Germany, both cases and controls. We have built comprehensive databases with detailed information on participants' backgrounds, health, and cognitive function, along with collecting blood samples for further analysis. Our team has developed a protocol for gathering clinical records and details of neuropathological assessments, and we have collected postmortem brain tissue samples from donors who passed away during or after COVID-19.
- Our partners are focused on understanding the range of cognitive and neurodegenerative problems that can arise after COVID-19, using standardized methods across different European populations. We are gearing up for the next phase of our research, which involves analyzing samples and data in more detail. We are refining protocols for analyzing blood samples and brain tissue, as well as developing models to study how the virus affects different types of brain cells. In addition, our team is also working on tools and algorithms to help us process and understand the large amounts of data we are collecting, and to model how COVID-19 affects individuals differently.
- We are exploring potential drug candidates that could help treat neurological complications of COVID-19, using advanced computer algorithms.
- We are also conducting research into public advocacy and ethical considerations surrounding post-COVID-19 care, ensuring that our work is guided by the needs and concerns of the community.
- Throughout all of this, we are making sure to follow legal, ethical, and data protection guidelines, and we have developed a framework to ensure that our research is conducted responsibly and transparently.
- Finally, we have established clear roles and procedures for project management, ensuring that everyone involved knows what they need to do and how to communicate effectively.
In summary, we are making strides in understanding and addressing the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain and mental health, with a focus on collaboration, transparency, and ethical responsibility.
- In collaboration with partners, we have established two study cohorts, one in Italy and one in Germany, to gather information from people previously infected by COVID-19 and now experiencing neurological and neuropsychiatric issues. We have enrolled a total of 50 participants in Italy and 57 in Germany, both cases and controls. We have built comprehensive databases with detailed information on participants' backgrounds, health, and cognitive function, along with collecting blood samples for further analysis. Our team has developed a protocol for gathering clinical records and details of neuropathological assessments, and we have collected postmortem brain tissue samples from donors who passed away during or after COVID-19.
- Our partners are focused on understanding the range of cognitive and neurodegenerative problems that can arise after COVID-19, using standardized methods across different European populations. We are gearing up for the next phase of our research, which involves analyzing samples and data in more detail. We are refining protocols for analyzing blood samples and brain tissue, as well as developing models to study how the virus affects different types of brain cells. In addition, our team is also working on tools and algorithms to help us process and understand the large amounts of data we are collecting, and to model how COVID-19 affects individuals differently.
- We are exploring potential drug candidates that could help treat neurological complications of COVID-19, using advanced computer algorithms.
- We are also conducting research into public advocacy and ethical considerations surrounding post-COVID-19 care, ensuring that our work is guided by the needs and concerns of the community.
- Throughout all of this, we are making sure to follow legal, ethical, and data protection guidelines, and we have developed a framework to ensure that our research is conducted responsibly and transparently.
- Finally, we have established clear roles and procedures for project management, ensuring that everyone involved knows what they need to do and how to communicate effectively.
In summary, we are making strides in understanding and addressing the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain and mental health, with a focus on collaboration, transparency, and ethical responsibility.
Recent estimates suggest that at least 65 million people worldwide are dealing with long COVID, also known as post-COVID syndrome. This condition affects about 10% of those who have had COVID-19, including a significant portion of both hospitalized and non-hospitalized cases, as well as some who have been vaccinated. With over 651 million documented COVID-19 cases in 2023, the impact of long COVID is widespread. One of the troubling aspects of long COVID is its effect on the nervous system, leading to symptoms like cognitive issues, tingling sensations, and memory problems. These symptoms can arise due to various factors, including inflammation in the brain and body, blood clotting issues, and damage to blood vessel linings and neurons.
The NEUROCOV project aims to uncover the underlying causes of these neurological complications seen in PCS patients with post-COVID syndrome. By making progress in understanding these mechanisms, we hope to find ways to effectively treat those affected by long COVID, addressing a significant but often overlooked social burden.
The NEUROCOV project aims to uncover the underlying causes of these neurological complications seen in PCS patients with post-COVID syndrome. By making progress in understanding these mechanisms, we hope to find ways to effectively treat those affected by long COVID, addressing a significant but often overlooked social burden.