Cognitive Functions After COVID-19

It is a test that measures attention and concentration, executive functions, memory, language, visuospatial skills, abstract thinking, calculation and orientation skills in order to distinguish individuals with mild cognitive impairment from healthy individuals.

The person is asked to draw a clock circle and place numbers in it. After succeeding, they are asked to show 11 by 10 crossing. This test can test comprehension, memory, visuospatial functions and executive functions.

The test consists of fifteen unrelated words. Fifteen words are read to the subject at one-second intervals and then asked to say the ones that come to mind. In this process, information is collected about the subject's ability to maintain instant memory and attention. The number of correct answers of the subject is recorded as Instant Memory Score. After the first attempt, the same list is read to the subject nine more times, and each time he is asked to say all he remembers. This gives information about the subject's learning ability.

The test consists of two parts as forward and backward span. In the forward digit span, the numbers are read at one second intervals and the patient is asked to repeat the randomly read numbers in the same order. It assesses attention and short-term memory. In the back digit span, it is requested to repeat the numbers read from the end to the beginning. Working memory is evaluated in the back count range. As the person succeeds in the trials, the test is continued by increasing one step. If the patient fails twice in a row for both sections, the test is discontinued.

Verbal fluency tests aim to evaluate the executive aspects of verbal behavior by using language capacity as a fluent speech. Verbal fluency tests are applied in two ways: phonemic fluency and semantic fluency. In the semantic fluency test, the person is asked to count animal names in one minute, and in the phonemic fluency test, the person is asked to produce words that start with a certain letter (K-A-S) and are not proper nouns.

The Stroop test evaluates focused attention, the ability to change attention in line with changing demands and under a distraction, the ability to suppress a habitual behavior pattern and perform an unusual behavior.

The trail making test consists of two parts, A and B. In part A, the participants are asked to combine the circles with the numbers in the correct order and following each other (1-2-3-4-5...). In section B, there are letters and numbers placed in circles. Participants are asked to combine letters and numbers in the correct sequence (1-A-2-B-3-C-4-D...). The times of both sections are recorded. The A part of the IST evaluates the processing speed based on visual scanning ability, and the B part evaluates the complex attention, planning, set changing, blocking ability and following the sequentiality.

The purpose of the test is to evaluate visuospatial structuring skills and visual memory. The test material consists of a complex shape printed on a card, a registration form, an identification form with 24 details, three blank sheets of paper, a pencil and an eraser. The subject is first asked to copy the complex shape and the copying time is noted. During copying, the subject is not informed that he will draw the shape again. In the next step, the complex shape is removed and the person is asked to draw the shape again as far as he can remember, and the drawing time is noted. This is instant recall application. After the instant recall, the subject is not informed that he will draw the shape again, and the subject's mind is occupied by introducing different tests. After 30 minutes, he is asked to draw again. This is the delayed recall phase.

The scale is scored by interview with the patient's relative. A total of 12 behavioral domains (delusions, hallucinations, agitation/aggression, depression/dysphoria, anxiety, elation/euphoria, apathy, disinhibition, irritability/lability, abnormal motor behavior, sleep/night behaviors, appetite and eating changes) are questioned.