Post-COVID-19 Brain imaging study (PC Brain) [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Post-COVID-19 Brain imaging study
IRAS ID
286111
Contact name
Anne Dunleavy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, months, days
Research summary
Aim\nTo understand the effect that coronavirus (COVID-19) may have on nerve cells and the brain. The results will help to understand if and how the brain is affected in people who have had COVID-19 compared to healthy volunteers.\n\nBackground.\nCOVID-19, the disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus, is a pandemic affecting countries world-wide. The most commons symptoms of COVID-19 are a high temperature, a new continuous cough and tiredness. However, it is now understood that COVID-19 can affect different parts of the body, including the nerves and brain causing symptoms such as headache, loss of taste or smell and sudden confusion (delirium).\n\nVery little is known about why COVID-19 affects the brain. We hope that by taking detailed pictures of the brain using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner we will able to detect small changes in the brain that may be related to COVID-19. Our team has carried out similar studies in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, also known as emphysema or chronic bronchitis). In those studies we found that high inflammation levels in the blood were linked to subtle areas of damage in the brain.\n\nDesign and methods. \nThis is a prospective observational case-control study of people recently discharged from hospital following COVID-19 and healthy volunteers. We aim to recruit 100 people (80 patients, 20 healthy volunteers). Participants will complete assessments of their general healthy, mood, fatigue, memory and sense of smell. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans will be acquired to provide measures of brain structure and blood flow. We will also retrieve data from the participant’s medical record about their pre-existing health and existing clinical measures related to their COVID-19. We will use these to assess the relationship between brain damage and measures of COVID-19 severity.\n
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/WM/0229
Date of REC Opinion
25 Aug 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion