Journal article
Long COVID: lung pathophysiology and its relationship with cognitive dysfunction
Scientific reports, Vol.15(1), 42595
11/24/2025
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-26568-y
PMCID: PMC12663264
PMID: 41286257
Abstract
Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (Long COVID) includes physical and cognitive symptoms that can last long after acute infection. Links between lung pathophysiology and cognitive dysfunction in Long COVID remain largely unexplored. Long COVID participants were recruited from a post-COVID-19 clinic. Participants completed Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) symptom questionnaires for Sleep Disturbance, Anxiety, Depression, and Cognitive Function, the National Institute of Health Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB), pulmonary function tests (spirometry, diffusion capacity of the lung), structural and functional brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and
Xe MRI for ventilation and regional pulmonary gas exchange evaluation, at the same study visit. Bivariate relationships between lung and cognitive function in Long COVID were assessed using Spearman partial correlations, adjusted for age. Twelve participants (age = 54 ± 11 yrs.; 10 females) that were 32 ± 5 months from infection were evaluated. PROMIS symptom scores indicated reduced perceived cognitive function in everyday life along with increased fatigue, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep disturbance. However, objective cognitive function performance on NIHTB-CB were broadly within normal limits. Lower
Xe MRI gas exchange was correlated with more severe symptoms of sleep disturbance, reduced executive functioning performance, and elevated cerebral perfusion via brain MRI. These results are suggestive of a link between lung pathophysiology and cognitive dysfunction in this Long COVID population with enduring respiratory and cognitive symptoms more than two years after infection.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Long COVID: lung pathophysiology and its relationship with cognitive dysfunction
- Creators
- Keegan R Staab - University of IowaMarrissa J McIntosh - University of IowaAbhilash S Kizhakke Puliyakote - University of Iowa, RadiologyAndrew D Hahn - University of IowaNatally AlArab - University of IowaJonathan L Percy - University of Wisconsin–MadisonTara Lanning - University of Iowa, PsychiatryJohanna Theeler - University of IowaCarinda Linkenmeyer - University of IowaConner J Wharff - University of IowaEric Bruening - University of IowaJessica C Sieren - University of IowaEric A Hoffman - University of IowaAlejandro P Comellas - University of IowaKarin F Hoth - University of IowaSean B Fain - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Scientific reports, Vol.15(1), 42595
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41598-025-26568-y
- PMID
- 41286257
- PMCID
- PMC12663264
- NLM abbreviation
- Sci Rep
- ISSN
- 2045-2322
- eISSN
- 2045-2322
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Grant note
- COVID-19 and Emerging Respiratory Viruses Research Award / American Lung Association NIH NCATS S10OD026960, NIH CTSA program grant UM1TR004403, NIH NHLBI R01HL169765, NIH NHLBI R01HL126771 / NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/24/2025
- Academic Unit
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Radiology; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine; Psychiatry; ICTS; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Health, Sport, and Human Physiology ; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9985035042702771
Metrics
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