Comparison of the Impact of Zika and Dengue Virus Infection, and Other Acute Illnesses of Unidentified Origin on Cognitive Functions in a Prospective Cohort in Chiapas Mexico

Zika has been associated with a variety of severe neurologic manifestations including meningitis and encephalitis. We hypothesized that it may also cause mild to subclinical neurocognitive alterations during acute infection or over the long term. In this observational cohort study, we explored whether Zika cause subclinical or mild neurocognitive alterations, estimate its frequency and duration, and compare it to other acute illnesses in a cohort of people with suspected Zika infection, in the region of Tapachula in Chiapas, Mexico during 2016–2018. We enrolled patients who were at least 12 years old with suspected Zika virus infection and followed them up for 6 months. During each visit participants underwent a complete clinical exam, including a screening test for neurocognitive dysfunction (Montreal Cognitive Assessment score). We enrolled 406 patients [37 with Zika, 73 with dengue and 296 with other acute illnesses of unidentified origin (AIUO)]. We observed a mild and transient impact over cognitive functions in patients with Zika, dengue and with other AIUO. The probability of having an abnormal MoCA score (<26 points) was significantly higher in patients with Zika and AIUO than in those with dengue. Patients with Zika and AIUO had lower memory scores than patients with dengue (Zika vs. Dengue: −0.378, 95% CI−0.678 to −0.078; p = 0.014: Zika vs. AIUO 0.264, 95% CI 0.059, 0.469; p = 0.012). The low memory performance in patients with Zika and AIUO accounts for most of the differences in the overall MoCA score when compared with patients with dengue. Our results show a decrease in cognitive function during acute illness and provides no evidence to support the hypothesis that Zika might cause neurocognitive alterations longer than the period of acute infection or different to other infectious diseases. While effects on memory or perhaps other cognitive functions over the long term are possible, larger studies using more refined tools for neurocognitive functioning assessment are needed to identify these.Trial Registration: NCT02831699.

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Depletion of acetate-producing bacteria from the gut microbiota facilitates cognitive impairment through the gut-brain neural mechanism in diabetic mice

Microbiome ◽

10.1186/s40168-021-01088-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hong Zheng ◽

Pengtao Xu ◽

Qiaoying Jiang ◽

Qingqing Xu ◽

Yafei Zheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Neural Mechanism ◽

Fecal Microbiota ◽

Protective Role ◽

Fecal Microbiota Transplant ◽

Memory Impairments ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Modification of the gut microbiota has been reported to reduce the incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). We hypothesized that the gut microbiota shifts might also have an effect on cognitive functions in T1D. Herein we used a non-absorbable antibiotic vancomycin to modify the gut microbiota in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T1D mice and studied the impact of microbial changes on cognitive performances in T1D mice and its potential gut-brain neural mechanism. Results We found that vancomycin exposure disrupted the gut microbiome, altered host metabolic phenotypes, and facilitated cognitive impairment in T1D mice. Long-term acetate deficiency due to depletion of acetate-producing bacteria resulted in the reduction of synaptophysin (SYP) in the hippocampus as well as learning and memory impairments. Exogenous acetate supplement or fecal microbiota transplant recovered hippocampal SYP level in vancomycin-treated T1D mice, and this effect was attenuated by vagal inhibition or vagotomy. Conclusions Our results demonstrate the protective role of microbiota metabolite acetate in cognitive functions and suggest long-term acetate deficiency as a risk factor of cognitive decline.

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Long-Term Neuroinflammation Induced by Influenza A Virus Infection and the Impact on Hippocampal Neuron Morphology and Function

Journal of Neuroscience ◽

10.1523/jneurosci.1740-17.2018 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 38 (12) ◽

pp. 3060-3080 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Shirin Hosseini ◽

Esther Wilk ◽

Kristin Michaelsen-Preusse ◽

Ingo Gerhauser ◽

Wolfgang Baumgärtner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Virus Infection ◽

Influenza A Virus ◽

Influenza A ◽

Hippocampal Neuron ◽

Neuron Morphology ◽

Influenza A Virus Infection ◽

And Function ◽

The Impact

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Acute physical exercise improves memory consolidation in humans via BDNF and endocannabinoid signaling

10.1101/211227 ◽

2017 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Blanca Marin Bosch ◽

Aurélien Bringard ◽

Maria Grazia Logrieco ◽

Estelle Lauer ◽

Nathalie Imobersteg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Exercise ◽

Acute Exercise ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Long Term Memory ◽

Hippocampal Activity ◽

High Exercise Intensity ◽

Acute Physical Exercise ◽

Term Performance ◽

The Impact

AbstractRegular physical exercise enhances memory functions and neurogenesis in the hippocampus, an effect partially mediated by BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor). Acute exercise promotes the release of endocannabinoids (especially anandamide, AEA), which enhance BDNF release and improve hippocampal plasticity in rodents. How acute exercise affects BDNF and AEA levels and influences memory performance in humans remains to date unknown. Here we combined blood biomarkers, behavioral and fMRI measurements to assess the impact of acute physical exercise on associative memory and underlying neurophysiological mechanisms. For each participant, memory was tested after three conditions: rest, moderate or high exercise intensity. A long-term memory retest took place 3 months later. At both test and retest, memory performance increased after moderate but not high intensity exercise or rest. We also show that memory benefited from exercise-related increases in both AEA and BNDF levels: AEA boosted hippocampal activity during memory recall, while BDNF enhanced hippocampal memory representations and long-term performance.

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Long‐Term Study of Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection at Secondary Care Centers: The Impact of Viremia on Liver‐Related Outcomes

Hepatology ◽

10.1002/hep.31214 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 72 (4) ◽

pp. 1177-1190 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Habiba Kamal ◽

Gabriel Westman ◽

Karolin Falconer ◽

Ann‐Sofi Duberg ◽

Ola Weiland ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Virus Infection ◽

Secondary Care ◽

Hepatitis Delta Virus ◽

Term Study ◽

Hepatitis Delta ◽

Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection ◽

Long Term Study ◽

The Impact ◽

Delta Virus

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Effect of Lacosamide and Ethosuximide Chronic Treatment on Neural Precursor Cells and Cognitive Functions after Pilocarpine Induced Status Epilepticus in Mice

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11081014 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 1014

Author(s):

Aleksandra Szewczyk ◽

Mirosław Zagaja ◽

Joanna Szala-Rycaj ◽

Maciej Maj ◽

Marta Andres-Mach

Keyword(s):

Status Epilepticus ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Term Treatment ◽

Cell Counting ◽

Resonance Spectroscopy ◽

Long Term Treatment ◽

Newborn Neurons ◽

Imagej Software ◽

The Impact

Seizures in about 40% of patients with epilepsy fail to respond to anti-seizure medication (ASM) and may lead to uncontrolled and prolonged seizures often inducing status epilepticus (SE). The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of a long-term treatment with two different generation ASMs: ethosuximide (ETS, a classic ASM) and lacosamide (LCM, a 3rd generation ASM) on neural stem cells’ (NSCs’) proliferation and learning and memory functions after pilocarpine (PILO)-induced SE in mice. The following drugs were used: LCM (10 mg/kg), ETS (20 mg/kg), and PILO (300 mg/kg). Cell counting was done using confocal microscope and ImageJ software. Cognitive functions were evaluated with the Morris water maze (MWM) test. The level of several selected neurometabolites was measured with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Obtained results indicated no significant impact of ETS treatment on the neurogenesis process in PILO mice. Interestingly, LCM significantly decreased the total amount of newborn neurons. The MWM test indicated no significant changes in the time and distance traveled by the ETS and LCM groups compared to PILO control mice, although all measured parameters were more favorable for the PILO mice treated with ASM. Conclusions: The presented results show that long term treatment with LCM and ETS seems to be safe for the cognitive functions and the proper course of neurogenesis in the mouse PILO-induced SE model, although one should remember that LCM administered chronically may act to reduce new neurons’ formation.

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Long-term health sequelae and quality of life at least 6 months after infection with SARS-CoV-2: design and rationale of the COVIDOM-study as part of the NAPKON population-based cohort platform (POP)

Infection ◽

10.1007/s15010-021-01707-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

A. Horn ◽

L. Krist ◽

W. Lieb ◽

F. A. Montellano ◽

M. Kohls ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Acute Infection ◽

Population Based ◽

Local Public Health ◽

National Network ◽

Multiple Organs ◽

Patient Reported ◽

The Impact

Abstract Purpose Over the course of COVID-19 pandemic, evidence has accumulated that SARS-CoV-2 infections may affect multiple organs and have serious clinical sequelae, but on-site clinical examinations with non-hospitalized samples are rare. We, therefore, aimed to systematically assess the long-term health status of samples of hospitalized and non-hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals from three regions in Germany. Methods The present paper describes the COVIDOM-study within the population-based cohort platform (POP) which has been established under the auspices of the NAPKON infrastructure (German National Pandemic Cohort Network) of the national Network University Medicine (NUM). Comprehensive health assessments among SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals are conducted at least 6 months after the acute infection at the study sites Kiel, Würzburg and Berlin. Potential participants were identified and contacted via the local public health authorities, irrespective of the severity of the initial infection. A harmonized examination protocol has been implemented, consisting of detailed assessments of medical history, physical examinations, and the collection of multiple biosamples (e.g., serum, plasma, saliva, urine) for future analyses. In addition, patient-reported perception of the impact of local pandemic-related measures and infection on quality-of-life are obtained. Results As of July 2021, in total 6813 individuals infected in 2020 have been invited into the COVIDOM-study. Of these, about 36% wished to participate and 1295 have already been examined at least once. Conclusion NAPKON-POP COVIDOM-study complements other Long COVID studies assessing the long-term consequences of an infection with SARS-CoV-2 by providing detailed health data of population-based samples, including individuals with various degrees of disease severity. Trial registration Registered at the German registry for clinical studies (DRKS00023742).

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Selective behavioural impairments in mice heterozygous for the cross disorder psychiatric risk gene DLG2

10.1101/2021.10.05.463181 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rachel Pass ◽

Niels Haan ◽

Trevor Humby ◽

Lawrence S Wilkinson ◽

Jeremy Hall ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Synaptic Plasticity ◽

Motor Learning ◽

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Critical Role ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Synaptic Function ◽

Brain Functions ◽

The Impact

Mutations affecting DLG2 are emerging as a genetic risk factor associated with neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder and bipolar disorder. Discs large homolog 2 (DLG2) is a member of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase protein superfamily of scaffold proteins, a component of the post-synaptic density in excitatory neurons and regulator of synaptic function and plasticity. It remains an important question whether and how haploinsuffiency of DLG2 contributes to impairments in basic behavioural and cognitive functions that may underlie symptomatic domains in patients that cross diagnostic boundaries. Using a heterozygous Dlg2 mouse model we examined the impact of reduced Dlg2 expression on functions commonly impaired in neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders including motor co-ordination and learning, pre-pulse inhibition and habituation to novel stimuli. The heterozygous Dlg2 mice exhibited behavioural impairments in long-term motor learning and long-term habituation to a novel context, but not motor co-ordination, initial responses to a novel context, PPI of acoustic startle or anxiety. We additionally showed evidence for the reduced regulation of the synaptic plasticity-associated protein cFos in the motor cortex during motor learning. The sensitivity of selective behavioural and cognitive functions, particularly those dependent on synaptic plasticity, to reduced expression of DLG2 give further credence for DLG2 playing a critical role in specific brain functions but also a mechanistic understanding of symptom expression shared across psychiatric disorders.

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COVID-19 cognitive deficits after respiratory assistance in the subacute phase: A COVID-rehabilitation unit experience

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0246590 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. e0246590

Author(s):

Federica Alemanno ◽

Elise Houdayer ◽

Anna Parma ◽

Alfio Spina ◽

Alessandra Del Forno ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Phase ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Functional Impairments ◽

Rehabilitation Unit ◽

Subacute Phase ◽

Respiratory Assistance ◽

The Impact

Introduction COVID-19 complications can include neurological, psychiatric, psychological, and psychosocial impairments. Little is known on the consequences of SARS-COV-2 on cognitive functions of patients in the sub-acute phase of the disease. We aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on cognitive functions of patients admitted to the COVID-19 Rehabilitation Unit of the San Raffaele Hospital (Milan, Italy). Material and methods 87 patients admitted to the COVID-19 Rehabilitation Unit from March 27th to June 20th 2020 were included. Patients underwent Mini Mental State Evaluation (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Data were divided in 4 groups according to the respiratory assistance in the acute phase: Group1 (orotracheal intubation), Group2 (non-invasive ventilation using Biphasic Positive Airway Pressure), Group3 (Venturi Masks), Group4 (no oxygen therapy). Follow-ups were performed at one month after home-discharge. Results Out of the 87 patients (62 Male, mean age 67.23 ± 12.89 years), 80% had neuropsychological deficits (MoCA and MMSE) and 40% showed mild-to-moderate depression. Group1 had higher scores than Group3 for visuospatial/executive functions (p = 0.016), naming (p = 0.024), short- and long-term memory (p = 0.010, p = 0.005), abstraction (p = 0.024), and orientation (p = 0.034). Group1 was younger than Groups2 and 3. Cognitive impairments correlated with patients’ age. Only 18 patients presented with anosmia. Their data did not differ from the other patients. FIM (<100) did not differ between groups. Patients partly recovered at one-month follow-up and 43% showed signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. Conclusion Patients with severe functional impairments had important cognitive and emotional deficits which might have been influenced by the choice of ventilatory therapy, but mostly appeared to be related to aging, independently of FIM scores. These findings should be integrated for correct neuropsychiatric assistance of COVID-19 patients in the subacute phase of the disease, and show the need for long-term psychological support and treatment of post-COVID-19 patients.

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