MQ Open Mind · MQ Mental Health Research

Dr Maxime Taquet & Why Some People Develop Brain Fog

·37 min·3 clips

One in eight COVID-19 patients get diagnosed with cognitive problems, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.

This episode of MQ Open Mind features Dr. Maxime Taquet, an Academic Clinical Fellow in Psychiatry at the University of Oxford, discussing his research on the neurological effects of COVID-19. Hosts Rory O'Connor, a professor of health psychology, and Craig, a filmmaker, explore Taquet's transition from engineering to mental health research and his focus on post-COVID brain fog. Taquet's work utilizes large-scale electronic health records and dedicated cohort studies to investigate why some individuals develop cognitive issues after infection. Early epidemiological studies led by Taquet found COVID-19 was associated with a greater risk of brain disorders like cognitive problems, depression, anxiety, and stroke compared to influenza. He outlines several initial hypotheses for these effects, including brain inflammation, blood clotting, autoimmune responses, and viral persistence. The COVID fog study, funded by MQ, identified specific biomarkers during acute infection that predict cognitive problems six to twelve months later. Elevated levels of fibrinogen and D-dimer, proteins linked to blood coagulation, were key predictors, with D-dimer specifically associated with subjective cognitive deficits. Taquet's research suggests these biomarker profiles point more strongly toward a blood clotting hypothesis than a general inflammation hypothesis for causing brain fog. One study found that one in eight people diagnosed with COVID-19 received a diagnostic code for cognitive problems, though this is considered an underestimate. Objective cognitive deficits were predicted by factors like a history of stroke, while subjective cognitive complaints were more common in middle-aged women with prior psychiatric issues. The research indicates subjective cognitive problems can have a biological basis, challenging the notion they are purely psychological. D-dimer's link to subjective deficits may be explained by its association with fatigue and shortness of breath, suggesting blood clots in the lungs could indirectly affect cognition. Follow-up research using the Cognitron online test battery aims to detect subtler cognitive changes not captured by standard assessments like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Potential future interventions based on this work include testing anticoagulants in clinical trials and developing cognitive rehabilitation programs. Taquet notes the research methods and collaborations from COVID-19 studies could be translated to investigate other health challenges. The conversation is educational and conversational, blending detailed scientific explanations with broader reflections on psychiatric research. Listeners interested in the intersection of virology, neuroscience, and data science will find this episode particularly engaging. Those seeking a purely narrative-driven or debate-focused podcast might find the technical discussion of biomarkers and study design less compelling.

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