Evaluation of Hyperammonemia and Cognitive Impairment in post-COVID patients

Abstract

The paper presents the results of an assessment cognitive function and ammonium levels in individuals who have had a novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The study included 60 people: 41 - confirmed COVID-19 during last 3 months and 19 - the control group. There have been performed clinical examination, psychometric test - connect-the-numbers test (CNT) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Blood ammonium level has been determined. Post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) was diagnosed in 70.7% of patients, which was manifested by complaints of memory loss, weakness and anxiety. In patients who underwent COVID-19, cognitive impairment was detected on the MMSE scale in 27 people (45%), and the changes were more pronounced in the group with PCS. In the post-COVID group, 66% of the subjects had an increase CNT result. The cognitive impairment according to the MMSE correlated with the CNT results. Hyperammonemia was found in 54% of COVID-19 survivors, with higher values observed in the PCS group. No correlation was found between hyperammonemia and cognitive impairment.