Assessment of Executive Functions After Covid-19

Since Covid-19 (Coronavirus Disease-2019) was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019, it is still widespread and deadly. As an ongoing pandemic, it has led to a panic and then a controlled fear in societies. In many studies, neuropsychological deficits were observed in Covid-19 patients both during the illness and after recovery. A recent study found that impairment in cognitive functions continued after recovery of Covid-19, and it was associated with peripherical inflammatory markers, such as C-Reactive Protein (CRP). CRP, as a peripherical inflammatory marker, has been proven to be inversely related to serum levels of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an important neurotrophin in the growth and differentiation of neurons. In this study, attention, working memory and executive functions of Covid-19 patients at post-covid period and its relation with the severity of the disease will be investigated.

Inclusion criteria

Covid-19 patients:

• Diagnosed as Covid-19 by RT-PCR at least 60 days but not more than 90 days ago
• Asymptomatic at the moment
• Not having any other general medical, neurological or psychiatric conditions except Covid-19 at the time of acute infection

Healthy subjects:

• Not having any of Covid-19 symptoms at the testing time point
• Not having any general medical, neurological or psychiatric condition

Exclusion criteria

Covid-19 patients:

• Diagnosed as Covid-19 by RT-PCR less than 60 days or more than 90 days ago
• Having any symptom of acute phase of Covid-19
• Having any other general medical, neurlogical or psychiatric contidions

Healthy subjects:

• Having any of Covid-19 symptoms at the testing time point
• Having any general medical, neurological or psychiatric condition