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Journal of Integrative Neuroscience May 2024Long-Covid, characterized by persistent symptoms following acute Covid-19 infection, represents a complex challenge for the scientific community. Among the most common...
BACKGROUND
Long-Covid, characterized by persistent symptoms following acute Covid-19 infection, represents a complex challenge for the scientific community. Among the most common and debilitating manifestations, cognitive fog is a neurological disorder characterized by mental confusion and cognitive difficulties. In this study, we investigated the long-term effects of previous Covid-19 infection on cortical brain activity in patients experiencing cognitive fog symptoms in the medium and long term.
METHODS
A total of 40 subjects (20 females and 20 males) aged between 45 and 70 years (mean age (M) = 59.78, standard deviation (SD) = 12.93) participated in this study. This sample included individuals with symptoms of cognitive fog, both with and without anosmia, and a control group comprised of healthy subjects. All electroencephalography (EEG) data were collected in two sessions, 1 month and 8 months after recovery from Covid-19, to measure the neurophysiological parameters of P300 and beta band rhythms.
RESULTS
The results revealed significant differences in the neurophysiological parameters of P300 and beta band rhythms in subjects affected by cognitive fog, and these alterations persist even 8 months after recovery from Covid-19. Interestingly, no significant differences were observed between the participants with anosmia and without anosmia associated with cognitive fog.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings provide a significant contribution to understanding the long-term effects of Covid-19 on the brain and have important implications for future interventions aimed at managing and treating brain fog symptoms. The longitudinal assessment of cortical brain activity helps highlight the persistent impact of the virus on the neurological health of Long-Covid patients.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Middle Aged; COVID-19; Aged; Electroencephalography; Anosmia; Longitudinal Studies; Cerebral Cortex; Cognitive Dysfunction; Event-Related Potentials, P300; Beta Rhythm
PubMed: 38812399
DOI: 10.31083/j.jin2305105 -
Performance of a cost-effective olfactory test to evaluate hyposmia in Parkinson's disease patients.Arquivos de Neuro-psiquiatria May 2024Parkinson's disease (PD) causes motor and non-motor symptoms such as hyposmia, which is evaluated through olfactory tests in the clinical practice.
BACKGROUND
Parkinson's disease (PD) causes motor and non-motor symptoms such as hyposmia, which is evaluated through olfactory tests in the clinical practice.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility of using the modified Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (mCCCRC) olfactory test and to compare its performance with the Sniffin' Sticks-12 (SS-12, Burghart Messtechnik GmbH, Wedel, Germany) test.
METHODS
A transversal case-control study in which the patients were divided into the PD group (PDG) and the control group (CG). The cost and difficulty in handling substances to produce the mCCCRC test kits were evaluated. Sociodemographic characteristics, smoking habits, past coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, self-perception of odor sense, and cognition through the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were also evaluated. The PDG was scored by part III of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III) and the Hoehn and Yahr Scale (H&Y) scale. Correlations were assessed through the Spearman rank correlation coefficient test (ρ, or rho).
RESULTS
The mCCCRC test was easily manufactured and handled at a cost ten times lower compared with the SS-12. The groups (PDG: = 34; CG: = 38) were similar in terms of age, sex, level of schooling, smoking habits, and history of COVID-19. The tests results showed moderate correlation (rho = 0.65; < 0.0001). The CG presented better cognitive performance and scored better in both tests ( < 0.0001). There was a tendency for a negative correlation with age, but good correlation with the MoCA ( = 0.0029). The results of the PDG group showed no correlation with olfactory results and motor performance or disease duration. The self-perception of hyposmia was low in both groups.
CONCLUSION
The mCCCRC is an easy-to-apply and inexpensive method that demonstrated a similar performance to that of the SS-12 in evaluating olfaction in PD patients and healthy controls.
Topics: Humans; Parkinson Disease; Male; Female; Case-Control Studies; Aged; Middle Aged; COVID-19; Anosmia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Feasibility Studies; Smell; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 38811023
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1787139 -
Psychiatry Research Jul 2024Substance use disorder (SUD) exacerbates the impact of Long-COVID, particularly increasing the risk of taste and olfactory disorders. Analyzing retrospective cohort data...
Substance use disorder (SUD) exacerbates the impact of Long-COVID, particularly increasing the risk of taste and olfactory disorders. Analyzing retrospective cohort data from TriNetX and over 33 million records (Jan 2020-Dec 2022), this study focused on 1,512,358 participants, revealing that SUD significantly heightens the likelihood of experiencing taste disturbances and anosmia in Long-COVID sufferers. Results indicated that individuals with SUD face a higher incidence of sensory impairments compared to controls, with older adults and women being particularly vulnerable. Smokers with SUD were found to have an increased risk of olfactory and taste dysfunctions. The findings underscore the importance of early screening, diagnosis, and interventions for Long-COVID patients with a history of SUD, suggesting a need for clinicians to monitor for depression and anxiety linked to sensory dysfunction for comprehensive care.
Topics: Humans; Female; COVID-19; Male; Retrospective Studies; Substance-Related Disorders; Middle Aged; Adult; Taste Disorders; Olfaction Disorders; Aged; Anosmia; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome; United States; Young Adult
PubMed: 38810537
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115970 -
American Journal of Medical Genetics.... May 2024Bosma arhinia microphthalmia syndrome (BAMS, OMIM #603457) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by heterozygous variation in the SMCHD1 gene on chromosome 18p11....
Bosma arhinia microphthalmia syndrome (BAMS, OMIM #603457) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by heterozygous variation in the SMCHD1 gene on chromosome 18p11. Clinically, it is characterized by microphthalmia, absence or hypoplasia of nose, choanal atresia, anosmia, palatal abnormalities, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and cryptorchidism. Here we report a Brazilian patient with a likely pathogenic variation in SMCHD1 gene (c.1418A>T; p.Glu473Val) presenting hemiarhinia associated with short stature and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Due to the clinical variability of BAMS, we considered that hemiarhinia, without microphthalmia, in the present case, can be considered a mild form of BAMS and could be considered for screening of SMCHD1 gene variation.
PubMed: 38808953
DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63640 -
Vestnik Otorinolaringologii 2024Data on the state of sense of smell in patients who had a new coronavirus infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus are currently reduced because of the impairment of the...
UNLABELLED
Data on the state of sense of smell in patients who had a new coronavirus infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus are currently reduced because of the impairment of the olfactory nerve system. There are practically no results in studies of disorders in the trigeminal nerve system.
OBJECTIVE
Qualitative assessment of olfactory disorders after COVID-19 according to the system of olfactory and trigeminal nerves with a targeted assessment of the functional component of olfactory disorders.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
We examined 40 patients aged 19 to 66 who had a coronavirus infection. All patients underwent neurological, otorhinolaryngological examinations, olfactometry, filled out the hospital anxiety and depression scale.
RESULTS
Anosmia was diagnosed in 5 (12.5%) patients, hyposmia in 21 (52.5%) patients, and normosmia in 14 (35%) patients. Formed: the 1st group - 14 patients (35%) with normogram according to olfactometry; the 2nd group - 26 patients (65%) with anosmia/hyposmia. In the 1st group, disorders of the anxiety-depressive spectrum were significantly more common. In the 2nd group, a low identification of odors was found, lying in the spectrum of fresh, sharp, unpleasant, irritating, compared with sweet and pleasant or neutral, which indicates a predominant lesion of the trigeminal system.
CONCLUSION
In patients with complaints of impaired sense of smell after undergoing COVID-19, the possible functional nature of anosmia/hyposmia should be taken into account, which requires the referral of such patients to psychotherapeutic specialists, and the possible entry of olfactory disorders into the 'trigeminal' spectrum.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Adult; Olfaction Disorders; Trigeminal Nerve; SARS-CoV-2; Aged; Smell; Olfactometry; Anosmia; Russia; Trigeminal Nerve Diseases
PubMed: 38805461
DOI: 10.17116/otorino20248902133 -
Yonago Acta Medica May 2024We report the case of a 55-year-old female with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp. Rhinosinusitis recurred 6...
We report the case of a 55-year-old female with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp. Rhinosinusitis recurred 6 months after full-house endoscopic sinus surgery. Although conventional treatment with azathioprine and mepolizumab with steroids was given, it was difficult to simultaneously control both rhinosinusitis and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Clinical examinations showed polyps in the olfactory cleft, and the patient's anosmia gradually became persistent. Even after administering mepolizumab for a certain period of time, symptoms did not improve, but when the biologic agent was switched to dupilumab, an improvement in recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp was observed. While dupilumab was administered intermittently for refractory chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp, the rhinosinusitis improved and symptoms such as worsening of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis paresthesia were observed. Both symptoms gradually subsided 19 months after starting intermittent administration, leading to the discontinuation of dupilumab administration. Rhinosinusitis in the setting of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis may be refractory in some cases, and this case provides findings demonstrating the strong effect of dupilumab on eosinophilic inflammation.
PubMed: 38803595
DOI: 10.33160/yam.2024.05.005 -
European Archives of... May 2024Study the efficacy of olfactory training in smell recovery.
PURPOSE
Study the efficacy of olfactory training in smell recovery.
METHODS
An extensive search was performed through different databases in order to find articles analyzing the efficacy of olfactory training as a treatment for olfactory dysfunction. Methodological quality of primary studies within the final sample was assessed following PRISMA guidelines. Standardized mean differences in pre-post olfactory training groups, and also in experimental-control and pre-follow up if possible, were computed by Hedges' g effect size statistic. Each effect size was weighted by its inverse variance.
RESULTS
Final sample was composed of 36 articles (45 pre-post effect sizes). Contrasts were performed separately for odor identification, odor discrimination, odor threshold and general olfactory function. Moderate to large and heterogeneous effect was obtained for olfactory function (g = 0.755, k = 45, SE = 0.093, CI 95% = [0.572, 0.937]), different moderators had a significant effects, such as, training duration, age and anosmia diagnosis.
CONCLUSION
Olfactory training was found to have a positive and significant effect on rehabilitating the olfactory function.
PubMed: 38802578
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-024-08733-7 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2024This study aimed to identify the time to diagnosis among COVID-19 patients and factors associated with delayed diagnosis (DD). Data from COVID-19 patients in Gangwon,...
This study aimed to identify the time to diagnosis among COVID-19 patients and factors associated with delayed diagnosis (DD). Data from COVID-19 patients in Gangwon, South Korea, diagnosed between 22 February 2020 and 29 January 2022, were analyzed, excluding asymptomatic cases and those who underwent mandatory testing. DD was defined as a period exceeding 2 or more days from symptom recognition to COVID-19 diagnosis. Univariate analysis was performed to investigate the demographic characteristics, COVID-19 symptoms, and underlying medical conditions associated with DD, followed by multivariate logistic regression analysis for significant variables. Among 2683 patients, 584 (21.8%) were diagnosed within a day of symptom onset. DD rates were lower in patients with febrile symptoms but higher among those with cough, myalgia, or anosmia/ageusia. High-risk underlying medical conditions were not significantly associated with DD. Older age groups, the Wonju medical service area, time of diagnosis between November 2020 and July 2021, symptom onset on nonworkdays, and individuals in nonwhite collar sectors were significantly associated with increased DD risks. These findings were consistent in the sensitivity analysis. This study underscores the need for enhanced promotion and system adjustments to ensure prompt testing upon symptom recognition.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Republic of Korea; Male; Female; Delayed Diagnosis; Middle Aged; Adult; Aged; Young Adult; Adolescent; Risk Factors; SARS-CoV-2; Aged, 80 and over
PubMed: 38791855
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21050641 -
Biomedicines May 2024Olfactory dysfunction is a well-known phenomenon in neurological diseases with anosmia and hyposmia serving as clinical or preclinical indicators of Alzheimer's disease,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Olfactory dysfunction is a well-known phenomenon in neurological diseases with anosmia and hyposmia serving as clinical or preclinical indicators of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders. Since glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease of the visual system, it may also entail alterations in olfactory function, warranting investigation into potential sensory interconnections.
METHODS
A review of the current literature of the last 15 years (from 1 April 2008 to 1 April 2023) was conducted by two different authors searching for topics related to olfaction and glaucoma.
RESULTS
three papers met the selection criteria. According to these findings, patients with POAG appear to have worse olfaction than healthy subjects. Furthermore, certain predisposing conditions to glaucoma, such as pseudoexfoliation syndrome and primary vascular dysregulation, could possibly induce olfactory changes that can be measured with the Sniffin Stick test.
CONCLUSIONS
the scientific literature on this topic is very limited, and the pathogenesis of olfactory changes in glaucoma is not clear. However, if the results of these studies are confirmed by further research, olfactory testing may be a non-invasive tool to assist clinicians in the early diagnosis of glaucoma.
PubMed: 38790964
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051002 -
Rhinology May 2024There is no known predictor for olfactory function recovery with dupilumab treatment in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). This study assessed whether...
BACKGROUND
There is no known predictor for olfactory function recovery with dupilumab treatment in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). This study assessed whether patient-reported recovery of olfactory function on oral corticosteroids (OCS) is a prognostic factor.
METHODS
Retrospective analysis of pre-biological OCS-responsiveness on olfactory functioning (OCS-responsive or OCS-unresponsive; OCS-r and OCR-u, respectively) as predictor for olfactory functioning after 6 months of dupilumab therapy for severe CRSwNP.
RESULTS
212 CRSwNP patients treated with dupilumab were divided between OCS-r (reported improvement of olfactory function with OCS before dupilumab treatment, n = 152), and OCS-u (OCS-unresponsive; no such improvement, n = 60). Olfactory function was tested with Sniffin' Sticks Identification Test (12 pens; SSIT-12). At baseline, both groups had a median SSIT-12 score of 3 / 12 indicating anosmia. Hyposmia and normosmia rates were also comparable (5.9% and 3.3% in OCS-r, respectively; 5.0% and 1.7% in OCS-u, respectively). After 6 months of dupilumab treatment, OCS-r showed higher olfactory scores (median SSIT-12: 8/12; 52.6% hyposmia and 17.8% normosmia) than OCS-u (median SSIT-12: 5/12; 31.7% hyposmia and 3.3% normosmia). The positive predictive value of OCS-responsiveness on scoring ≥7 (normosmia/hyposmia) on the SSIT-12 after 6 months of dupilumab treatment was 70.4%. Conversely, the negative predictive value of OCS-unresponsiveness on scoring.
PubMed: 38775362
DOI: 10.4193/Rhin23.452