Long-term follow-up of individuals with long-lasting cognitive deficits following mild COVID-19

Long-lasting post-COVID symptoms have severe implications for affected individuals, the healthcare system, and society as a whole. This project focuses on two common symptoms in this patient group, cognitive and olfactory deficits.

We aim to increase the knowledge regarding (a) long-term effects (up to 3-years) on cognitive and olfactory function after mild COVID-19, (b) factors associated with recovering from such deficits, (c) neurological bases of cognitive and olfactory deficits, and (d) associations between remaining deficits and returning to previous levels of functioning and activities (e.g. work).

The proposed project is a follow-up of an ongoing study; following these patients over time is critical for understanding the long-term effects.

The project consists of 3 parts: (1) Longitudinal follow-up of a clinical sample of post-COVID patients following mild COVID-19 with a third cognitive, olfactory, and functional assessment, (2) A second magnetic resonance imaging assessment of a subgroup of this sample and matched controls, (3) A new online questionnaire targeting functioning and well-being of a large sample of post-COVID patients, diagnosed during the first years of the pandemic.

Together, the results of this project will provide important new knowledge regarding the long-term effects of COVID-19 on cognitive and olfactory performance, which factors may affect the development in these domains over time, and how they relate to functioning in everyday life.