# Predictors of Post-COVID Clinical and Cognitive Consequences

> **NIH VA I21** · JOHN D DINGELL VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · —

## Abstract

Patients recovering from acute COVID-19 infection often suffer from a multitude of debilitating chronic physical
symptoms that can last up to 6 months or more. The incidence of fatigue, cognitive impairment and respiratory
symptoms are reported to be very high in the post-COVID period. The underlying pathophysiology of cognitive
impairment is unclear in these patients. Notably, sleep disturbances are common during this post-COVID
period, and sleep apnea has been associated with an increased risk for severe COVID infection. Thus, it is
conceivable that sleep fragmentation, per se, may confer an increased risk for chronic cognitive deficits in
Veterans post-COVID. Our proposed pilot project will determine if there is a link between post-COVID sleep
disturbances, sleep apnea and cognitive function. Knowledge gained from our examinations may guide
development of novel management pathways, i.e., mitigation of sleep disturbances may present a therapeutic
strategy for alleviating chronic post-COVID cognitive impairment.
Aim1 will investigate the effect of sleep duration and sleep quality on neurocognitive function in post-COVID
Veterans. Aim 2 will study whether the severity of OSA determines neurocognitive function Veterans who are
post-COVID. This is an observational study where we will gather retrospective as well as prospective data on
the long-term effects of COVID on neurocognitive function and sleep. Our long-term goal is to enhance
rehabilitation and recovery of function of Veterans suffering from post-COVID consequences that may arise
due to sleep disturbances, with the ultimate objective of improving the overall health and quality of life of
Veterans recovering from COVID-19 infection.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10745323
- **Project number:** 5I21RX004396-02
- **Recipient organization:** JOHN D DINGELL VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** susmita chowdhuri
- **Activity code:** I21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-12-01 → 2025-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10745323

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10745323, Predictors of Post-COVID Clinical and Cognitive Consequences (5I21RX004396-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10745323. Licensed CC0.

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