Lathouwers, E., Radwan, A., Blommaert, J., Stas, L., Tassignon, B., Allard, S. D., De Ridder, F., De Waele, E., Hoornaert, N., Lacor, P., Mertens, R., Naeyaert, M., Raeymaekers, H., Seyler, L., Vanbinst, A. M., Van Liedekerke, L., Van Schependom, J., Van Schuerbeek, P., Provyn, S., ... De Pauw, K. (2023). A cross-sectional case-control study on the structural connectome in recovered hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Scientific reports, 13(1), Article 15668. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-42429-y

@article{cc3981287a1e477eb981454f0ee4d3e6,
title = "A cross-sectional case-control study on the structural connectome in recovered hospitalized COVID-19 patients",
abstract = "COVID-19 can induce neurological sequelae, negatively affecting the quality of life. Unravelling this illness's impact on structural brain connectivity, white-matter microstructure (WMM), and cognitive performance may help elucidate its implications. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate differences in these factors between former hospitalised COVID-19 patients (COV) and healthy controls. Group differences in structural brain connectivity were explored using Welch-two sample t-tests and two-sample Mann-Whitney U tests. Multivariate linear models were constructed (one per region) to examine fixel-based group differences. Differences in cognitive performance between groups were investigated using Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests. Possible effects of bundle-specific FD measures on cognitive performance were explored using a two-group path model. No differences in whole-brain structural organisation were found. Bundle-specific metrics showed reduced fiber density (p = 0.012, Hedges' g = 0.884) and fiber density cross-section (p = 0.007, Hedges' g = 0.945) in the motor segment of the corpus callosum in COV compared to healthy controls. Cognitive performance on the motor praxis and digit symbol substitution tests was worse in COV than healthy controls (p < 0.001, r = 0.688; p = 0.013, r = 422, respectively). Associations between the cognitive performance and bundle-specific FD measures differed significantly between groups. WMM and cognitive performance differences were observed between COV and healthy controls.",
keywords = "Humans, COVID-19, Case-Control Studies, Connectome, Cross-Sectional Studies, Quality of Life",
author = "Elke Lathouwers and Ahmed Radwan and Jeroen Blommaert and Lara Stas and Bruno Tassignon and Allard, \{Sabine D\} and \{De Ridder\}, F and \{De Waele\}, E and N Hoornaert and P Lacor and R Mertens and Maarten Naeyaert and Hubert Raeymaekers and Lucie Seyler and Vanbinst, \{A M\} and \{Van Liedekerke\}, Lien and \{Van Schependom\}, Jeroen and \{Van Schuerbeek\}, Peter and Steven Provyn and Bart Roelands and Marie Vandekerckhove and R Meeusen and Stefan Sunaert and G Nagels and \{De Mey\}, J and \{De Pauw\}, Kevin",
note = "{\textcopyright} 2023. Springer Nature Limited.",
year = "2023",
month = sep,
day = "21",
doi = "10.1038/s41598-023-42429-y",
language = "English",
volume = "13",
journal = "Scientific reports",
issn = "2045-2322",
publisher = "Nature Publishing Group",
number = "1",
}