Insights into COVID-19 pathophysiology from a longitudinal multisystem report during acute infection

• Published in: Experimental neurology Vol. 380; p. 114917
• Main Authors: Brihmat, Nabila, Bayram, Mehmed B., Bheemreddy, Akhil, Saleh, Soha, Yue, Guang H., Forrest, Gail F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.10.2024
• Subjects: acute COVID-19; case report; cortical activity; corticospinal excitability; corticospinal excitability; case report; acute COVID-19; cortical activity
• ISSN: 0014-4886; 1090-2430; 1090-2430
• DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114917

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an illness caused by a SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, has been associated with neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, revealing its impact beyond the respiratory system. Most related research involved individuals with post-acute or persistent symptoms of COVID-19, also referred to as long COVID or Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). In this longitudinal unique report, we aimed to describe the acute supraspinal and corticospinal changes and functional alterations induced by a COVID-19 infection using neuroimaging, neurophysiological and clinical assessment of a participant during acute infection, as compared to three other visits where the participant had no COVID-19. The results favor a multisystem impairment, impacting cortical activity, functional connectivity, and corticospinal excitability, as well as motor and cardiovascular function. The report suggests pathophysiological alteration and impairment already present at the acute stage, that if resolved tend to lead to a full clinical recovery. Such results could be also insightful into PASC symptomatology. •SARS-CoV-2 infection results in acute multisystem alterations.•Acute supraspinal changes involve cortical activity and connectivity alterations.•Increased cortical sensorimotor activity allows normal task performance.•Corticospinal excitability increases parallels GABAergic dysregulation.•Clinical recovery potentially promoted by pathophysiological processes resolution.