Correlation between brain glucose metabolism rate on [18F]FDG PET/CT and clinical, neurocognitive and therapeutic variables after COVID-19

• Grant number: 22/03746-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: October 01, 2022
• End date: March 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Lauro Wichert Ana
• Grantee: Lucas Emmanuel Lopes e Santos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is a worldwide health problem, characterized by several strains, different levels of severity and high morbidity. Patients complain of late neurocognitive symptoms between 6 weeks and 12 months after infection. The knowledge gap lies in knowing the topography and pathophysiology of brain involvement, whether due to SARS-CoV-2 neuroinfection itself, or associated clinical and therapeutic factors. Objectives: (a) To correlate cerebral glycolytic metabolism ([18F]FDG) and cognitive and biomarker alterations after SARS-CoV-2 infection; (b) To correlate the clinical severity, the use of antiplatelet/anticoagulant agents, corticoids and mechanical ventilation, with late cognitive alterations; (c) Describe the brain areas affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: 20 healthy volunteers and 60 patients after SARS-CoV-2 (20 with mild symptoms, 20 moderate, and 20 severe with orotracheal intubation) will be included. Brain PET/CT will be performed with [18F]FDG, current neurological and neuropsychological assessments, and review of clinical and therapeutic information from the acute and subacute phases. Data will be modeled by PMOD software (PMOD Technologies, Zurich, Switzerland), and 3D images will be displayed by SPM software (UCL, London, UK). Expected results: A protocol for modeling PET/CT findings with clinical, therapeutic and biomarker variables associated with SARS-CoV-2; publication of 4 articles in international journals of high impact factor. (AU)