"Brain Fog" After COVID-19 Infection: How the Field of Neuropsychology Can Help Clear the Air

Overview

Journal Adv Exp Med Biol

Specialties Biology
General Medicine

Date 2024 Aug 5

PMID 39102190

Authors

Catherine N Widmann

Cornelia Henkel

Susan Seibert

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The chapter explores the role of neuropsychology in understanding brain fog as a subjective complaint in the context of COVID-19. It discusses the historical and medical significance of the term "brain fog" and its psychological and neurological aspects. The chapter identifies the cognitive domains commonly affected by brain fog, such as attention, executive function, memory, and language. Additionally, it emphasizes the impact of societal changes during the COVID-19 pandemic on the general population as a crucial backdrop for understanding the issue. The chapter also highlights the important role of clinical and research neuropsychologists in gaining clarity on grouped data and individual patients' cognitive and emotional difficulties after COVID-19 infection. It discusses indications for neuropsychological rehabilitation and therapy and describes typical therapy phases and methods, including new approaches like telemedicine, virtual reality, and mobile app-based rehabilitation and self-tracking. The chapter underscores that experiences of brain fog can vary among COVID-19 patients and may change over time. It provides clinicians and interested parties with an in-depth understanding of brain fog and its manifestations, concomitant subtypes, and concrete strategies for addressing it. The chapter emphasizes the critical role of neuropsychology in scientifically examining brain fog and advocating for personalized approaches to cognitive rehabilitation.

References

Adamis D, Treloar A, Martin F, Macdonald A . A brief review of the history of delirium as a mental disorder. Hist Psychiatry. 2008; 18(72 Pt 4):459-69. DOI: 10.1177/0957154X07076467. View

Akin-Sari B, Inozu M, Haciomeroglu A, Trak E, Tufan D, Doron G . Cognitive training using a mobile app as a coping tool against COVID-19 distress: A crossover randomized controlled trial. J Affect Disord. 2022; 311:604-613. PMC: 9137239. DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.05.118. View

Akinci B, Erkan Ogul O, Hanoglu L, Kulac B, Oren D, Ulu O . Evaluation of cognitive functions in adult individuals with COVID-19. Neurol Sci. 2022; 44(3):793-802. PMC: 9793347. DOI: 10.1007/s10072-022-06562-2. View

Al-Refae M, Al-Refae A, Munroe M, Sardella N, Ferrari M . A Self-Compassion and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Mobile Intervention (Serene) for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: Promoting Adaptive Emotional Regulation and Wisdom. Front Psychol. 2021; 12:648087. PMC: 8019776. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.648087. View

Alemanno F, Houdayer E, Parma A, Spina A, Del Forno A, Scatolini A . COVID-19 cognitive deficits after respiratory assistance in the subacute phase: A COVID-rehabilitation unit experience. PLoS One. 2021; 16(2):e0246590. PMC: 7870071. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246590. View

Azcue N, Gomez-Esteban J, Acera M, Tijero B, Fernandez T, Ayo-Mentxakatorre N . Brain fog of post-COVID-19 condition and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, same medical disorder?. J Transl Med. 2022; 20(1):569. PMC: 9724286. DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03764-2. View

Badinlou F, Lundgren T, Jansson-Frojmark M . Mental health outcomes following COVID-19 infection: impacts of post-COVID impairments and fatigue on depression, anxiety, and insomnia - a web survey in Sweden. BMC Psychiatry. 2022; 22(1):743. PMC: 9708120. DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-04405-0. View

Beaud V, Crottaz-Herbette S, Dunet V, Vaucher J, Bernard-Valnet R, Du Pasquier R . Pattern of cognitive deficits in severe COVID-19. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2020; 92(5):567-568. PMC: 8053331. DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-325173. View

Beese F, Waldhauer J, Wollgast L, Pfortner T, Wahrendorf M, Haller S . Temporal Dynamics of Socioeconomic Inequalities in COVID-19 Outcomes Over the Course of the Pandemic-A Scoping Review. Int J Public Health. 2022; 67:1605128. PMC: 9464808. DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2022.1605128. View

10.

Benedetti F, Palladini M, DOrsi G, Furlan R, Ciceri F, Rovere-Querini P . Mood-congruent negative thinking styles and cognitive vulnerability in depressed COVID-19 survivors: A comparison with major depressive disorder. J Affect Disord. 2022; 308:554-561. PMC: 9020513. DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.04.077. View

11.

Bileviciute-Ljungar I, Norrefalk J, Borg K . Pain Burden in Post-COVID-19 Syndrome following Mild COVID-19 Infection. J Clin Med. 2022; 11(3). PMC: 8836662. DOI: 10.3390/jcm11030771. View

12.

Blackmon K, Day G, Powers H, Bosch W, Prabhakaran D, Woolston D . Neurocognitive screening in patients following SARS-CoV-2 infection: tools for triage. BMC Neurol. 2022; 22(1):285. PMC: 9338515. DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-02817-9. View

13.

Brennan D, Tindall L, Theodoros D, Brown J, Campbell M, Christiana D . A blueprint for telerehabilitation guidelines--October 2010. Telemed J E Health. 2011; 17(8):662-5. DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2011.0036. View

14.

Campbell N, Boustani M . Adverse cognitive effects of medications: turning attention to reversibility. JAMA Intern Med. 2015; 175(3):408-9. PMC: 4346513. DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.7667. View

15.

Ceban F, Ling S, Lui L, Lee Y, Gill H, Teopiz K . Fatigue and cognitive impairment in Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain Behav Immun. 2022; 101:93-135. PMC: 8715665. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.12.020. View

16.

Chaker L, Razvi S, Bensenor I, Azizi F, Pearce E, Peeters R . Hypothyroidism. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2022; 8(1):30. DOI: 10.1038/s41572-022-00357-7. View

17.

Chakraborty A, Johnson J, Spagnoli J, Amin N, Mccoy M, Swaminathan N . Long-Term Cardiovascular Outcomes of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated with COVID-19 Using an Institution Based Algorithm. Pediatr Cardiol. 2022; 44(2):367-380. PMC: 9549828. DOI: 10.1007/s00246-022-03020-w. View

18.

Cian V, De Laurenzis A, Siri C, Gusmeroli A, Canesi M . Cognitive and Neuropsychiatric Features of COVID-19 Patients After Hospital Dismission: An Italian Sample. Front Psychol. 2022; 13:908363. PMC: 9173000. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.908363. View

19.

Cowan N . What are the differences between long-term, short-term, and working memory?. Prog Brain Res. 2008; 169:323-38. PMC: 2657600. DOI: 10.1016/S0079-6123(07)00020-9. View

20.

Danielski L, Giustina A, Bonfante S, Goldim M, Joaquim L, Metzker K . NLRP3 Activation Contributes to Acute Brain Damage Leading to Memory Impairment in Sepsis-Surviving Rats. Mol Neurobiol. 2020; 57(12):5247-5262. DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02089-9. View