Impact of COVID-19 on the Onset and Progression of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias: A Roadmap for Future Research.

Marcia N Gordon, Michael T Heneka, Lydia M Le Page, Christian Limberger, David Morgan, Andrea J Tenner, Niccolò Terrando, Auriel A Willette, Sara A Willette

Journal: Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association 2022;18(5):1038-1046

PMID: 34874605

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Abstract

COVID-19 causes lasting neurological symptoms in some survivors. Like other infections, COVID-19 may increase risk of cognitive impairment. This perspective highlights four knowledge gaps about COVID-19 that need to be filled to avoid this possible health issue. The first is the need to identify the COVID-19 symptoms, genetic polymorphisms and treatment decisions associated with risk of cognitive impairment. The second is the absence of model systems in which to test hypotheses relating infection to cognition. The third is the need for consortia for studying both existing and new longitudinal cohorts in which to monitor long term consequences of COVID-19 infection. A final knowledge gap discussed is the impact of the isolation and lack of social services brought about by quarantine/lockdowns on people living with dementia and their caregivers. Research into these areas may lead to interventions that reduce the overall risk of cognitive decline for COVID-19 survivors.

Address: Dept of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University, 400 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA.; Dept. of Neurodegenerative Disease and Geriatric Psychiatry/Neurology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Sigmund-Freud Str. 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany.; Departments of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, and Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, USA.; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.; Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Neurobiology and Behavior and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, USA.; Department of Anesthesiology, Cell Biology, and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.; Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.; IAC Tracker Inc., Ames, IA, USA.

DOI: 10.1002/alz.12488