Abstract #0868

Longitudinal Brain Morphometry and NIH Toolbox Performance in Adolescents Before and After COVID-19

Meghann Ryan^1,2, Pedro Rodriguez Rivera^1,2, Huajun Liang¹, Amal Isaiah^2,3,4, Thomas Ernst^1,2, and Linda Chang^1,2,5,6

¹Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States, ²Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States, ³Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States, ⁴Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States, ⁵Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States, ⁶Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States

Synopsis

Keywords: Gray Matter, Brain, Morphometry, brain development, COVID-19, ABCD Study, neuroinflammation, NIH Toolbox

Motivation: A major gap in our current knowledge exists in understanding how SARS-CoV-2 infection during adolescence may impact brain structure and cognitive abilities.

Goal(s): This study aimed to utilize pre-/post-pandemic MRI brain morphometry and NIH Toolbox cognitive data from the ABCD Study to evaluate whether neuroinflammation in youth with a history of COVID-19 would show persistent brain abnormalities, which in turn might mediate poorer cognitive performance.

Approach: Longitudinal analyses using linear mixed effects models to compare COVID and Controls.

Results: Despite the typically milder COVID symptomology in adolescents, abnormalities on brain morphometry, beyond age-related changes, are observed on structural MRI after infection.

Impact: SARS-CoV-2 infected >16 million US children and may impact their brain development. We found morphometric abnormalities in adolescents with COVID-19, which necessitates further evaluation of long-term effects on brain development trajectories and possible interventions to mitigate cognitive consequences.

How to access this content:

For one year after publication, abstracts and videos are only open to registrants of this annual meeting. Registrants should use their existing login information. Non-registrant access can be purchased via the ISMRM E-Library.

After one year, current ISMRM & ISMRT members get free access to both the abstracts and videos. Non-members and non-registrants must purchase access via the ISMRM E-Library.

After two years, the meeting proceedings (abstracts) are opened to the public and require no login information. Videos remain behind password for access by members, registrants and E-Library customers.

Click here for more information on becoming a member.