A Systems Neuroscience Approach to Diagnosis and Rehabilitation of Post COVID Neurological Syndrome Based on the Systems Neuroscience Test Battery (SNTB) Study Protocol.

Abstract

The proposed study reports the design and development of a rapid screening tool, the Systems Neuroscience Test Battery (SNTB), for diagnosing and evaluating the neurological manifestations of Post-COVID-19 Neurological Syndrome (PCNS) within the broader context of Post-Acute Sequelae to COVID-19 (PASC). The SNTB is designed to incorporate a behaviorally relevant Telehealth component that enhances consumer confidence in symptom discrimination, management of PCNS, and guides rehabilitation programs while allowing for continuous evaluation of intervention effectiveness.The study employs a longitudinal design, with telehealth and routine blood assessments conducted at three-month intervals, including at least two follow-ups post-recruitment. These assessments will involve Consumer-Reported Symptoms, Clinical History, Neuropsychological Data, and Timed Psychophysics, aimed at rapid screening of PCNS-related symptoms including 'brain fog" and its affect on visually driven attention, cognition and visually driven motor behaviors. These assessments are intended to validate the characteristics of 'brain fog' and identify predictive behavioral biomarkers for the development of PCNS.The target population includes adults aged 18-65 who have experienced persistent neurological symptoms for at least three months following a confirmed COVID-19 infection. Exclusion criteria include individuals unable to undergo radiological examinations, such as pregnant women or those with contraindications to MRI, ensuring the robustness of the sample and reducing potential selection bias.The SNTB tool will facilitate the online identification of predictive biomarkers for PCNS and aid in the discovery of effective molecular biomarker combinations for medical intervention and rehabilitation. Complementary to the Telehealth Assessment, hospital facilities will be utilized for radiological and blood-based molecular assessments, ensuring concurrent profiling of structural and functional changes during 'brain fog' and recovery from PCNS symptoms.