2023 Alzheimer's Association Research Grant to Promote Diversity (AARG-D)
Risk for Alzheimer’s disease in older adults with long-COVID
How does long COVID impact one’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s?
Edmarie Guzman-Velez, Ph.D.
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, MA - United States
Background
Some individuals who contract respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for COVID-19, experience neurological symptoms such as cognitive decline and memory impairment, with older adults being particularly vulnerable. Additionally, some individuals experience neurological symptoms that persist weeks to months after the initial infection. This condition, called “long COVID”, is marked by the continuation of COVID symptoms after recovery of the illness. However, it is unknown how long COVID impacts brain health and one’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s in older individuals.
Research Plan
Dr. Edmarie Guzmán-Vélez and colleagues will recruit 25 individuals at least 65 years of age with long COVID who are experiencing neurological symptoms. They will also recruit 25 age-matched individuals with no history of COVID infection. The researchers will measure blood-based biological markers (biomarkers) of nerve cell damage and death as well as brain inflammation. They will also use blood-based biomarkers that can detect the formation of tau tangles, one of the hallmark brain changes in Alzheimer’s. Lastly, the team will administer cognitive assessments to each individual to study the link between Alzheimer’s risk and cognitive changes associated with long COVID.
Impact
The results of this project may contribute to our understanding of the impact of long COVID on Alzheimer’s risk. The findings may also shed new light on brain changes associated with long COVID and help predict the risk for developing brain disorders following COVID infection.