COVID-19 Clinical Neuroscience Study (COVID-CNS)
Study code
DAA171
Lead researcher
Dr Yun Huang
Study type
Data only
Institution or company
University of Liverpool
Researcher type
Academic
Speciality area
COVID, Neurological Disorders
Summary
A retrospective observational clinical study on COVID-19 associated inflammatory / autoimmune neurological conditions - COVID-19 Clinical Neuroscience Study (COVID-CNS).
SARS-CoV2 is responsible for over 760 million cases of COVID-19 worldwide. Neurological symptoms are common among patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. These symptoms can range from headache and dizziness, to confusion, seizures, and strokes. Notably, there are reported links between COVID-19 and immune-related brain and nerve injuries. These conditions include autoimmune encephalitis, demyelination and inflammation of the nervous system. However, we have little understanding of the biological processes underlying these issues.
The COVID-19 Clinical Neuroscience Study (COVID-CNS) was a prospective study, where COVID-19 patients with and without neurological complications, COVID-19 vaccine related neurological complications and COVID-19 negative hospitalised patients were recruited. Participant’s clinical information, biological samples and brain scans were collected as part of this study.
We aim to carry out a research project, to characterise the sub-group of patients who developed immune-related brain and nerve injuries related to COVID-19, recruited as part of the COVID-CNS study. We will study the clinical characteristics of this cohort of patients, with the aim to identify risks factors towards developing immune-related complications. Furthermore, we will analyse the blood samples to identify possible biomarkers, as well as auto-antibody production in the serum and cerebrospinal fluids.
We hope this study will help us to better understand the risks of developing COVID-19 related immune-related complications and the underlying disease mechanisms. In addition, it will allow us to identify potential novel treatment options that will improve outcomes and benefit patients long-term.
Potential patient benefit:
We hope this clinical study will allows us to identify risk factors for developing inflammatory / autoimmune neurological complications after COVID-19, as well as improving our understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms. There may be similar pathological mechanisms underpinning other viral associated immune / autoimmune diseases, and this research may help us to identify novel biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets that will benefit patients in a wide range of viral induced inflammatory / autoimmune complications.