Genetic Mechanisms Underlying SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the Impact of COVID-19 on Cognitive Function

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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There is a considerable variation in the disease behavior in terms of contracting the infection, manifesting none to a range of symptoms and severity of the infection among individuals exposed to or infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causative organism of COVID-19. Although the respiratory system appears to be the primary target of this virus infection, emerging evidences suggests involvement of extra-pulmonary organs including central nervous system. We aim to compare the genetic profile of individuals with vs without COVID-19 after being exposed to infected cases. Additionally, we will assess the cognitive function in covid-19 positive cases with vs. without neurological symptoms at the time of infection and 1-month follow-up using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) questionnaire.

Official Title
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Genetic Mechanisms Underlying SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the Impact of COVID-19 on Cognitive Function

Conditions
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Covid19

Intervention / Treatment
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* Genetic: Whole exome sequencing


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Male or female over 18 years of age at the time of enrollment Have symptoms of COVID-19 (with or without hospitalization) or contact history Willing to undergo nasopharyngeal swab test for viral-RNA at baseline (in non-hospitalized cases) and the MoCA survey at baseline and 1-month follow-up Exclusion Criteria: Unwilling to provide informed consent MoCA score ≤17 at baseline Patients with clinical diagnosis of dementia Impaired consciousness

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| COVID-19 positive<br> | Genetic: Whole exome sequencing<br>* MoCA survey to evaluate cognitive function in COVID-19 positive cases with vs without neurological symptoms<br>* Other names: Cognitive function;|
| COVID-19 negative<br> | Genetic: Whole exome sequencing<br>* MoCA survey to evaluate cognitive function in COVID-19 positive cases with vs without neurological symptoms<br>* Other names: Cognitive function;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Genetic variants with vs without COVID-19 | Evaluate variants in the following known COVID-associated genes, ACE2R, IFITM, HLA-B 46, HLA-B 15, Toll Like Receptor and IFN-1, LIST, Perforin and mutations in Chromosome 3p21.31 along with novel genetic variants. | 1 day | 
| Cognitive function at baseline | Assess the cognitive status at baseline using MoCA survey in patients with vs without neurological symptoms | 1 day | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in cognitive function at 1 month | change in the MoCA score from baseline in patients with vs without neurological symptoms | 1 month | 
| Genetic analysis | compare the genetic variants in patients with no or mild to moderate vs severe symptoms | 1 day |