About the Study

 

What is the Coronavirus Neurocognitive Study (CNS)?

CNS evaluates adults who had COVID-19 to understand the long-term impacts on neurocognitive functioning. We are based at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) at the Memory and Aging Center within the Department of Neurology. Study visits occur the Neurosciences Clinical Research Unit in the Sandler Building on the Mission Bay Campus.

Why is this study being done?

We want to understand the neurocognitive changes that can follow COVID-19 to improve diagnosing, treating, and preventing these issues. Currently, little is known about the long-term neurologic consequences of COVID-19 and what is causing these changes.

What are the aims of CNS?

  • To describe the neurocognitive symptoms occurring in people following COVID-19
  • To determine if the existing medical conditions make some people selectively vulnerable to developing cognitive changes following COVID-19
  • To determine if blood and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers associate with cognitive changes following COVID-19

Who is eligible to enroll?

We are enrolling individuals who meet the following criteria:

  • Willing and able to provide informed consent
  • 18+ years of age
  • Fluent in English (reading, writing, and speaking)
  • Proof of a positive COVID-19 test, or no known history of COVID-19
  • At least 21+ days since the start of any COVID-19 symptoms.
  • No major medical or psychiatric illnesses
  • Currently free of regular recreational substance use

How do I enroll or refer a patient to enroll?

If you are interested in our study, please contact the study team at [email protected] for more information. You can also call the study team at (415) 502-5141.

If you are a doctor who has a patient experiencing neurocognitive symptoms following COVID-19, you can contact the study team at [email protected] for more information.

What happens if I participate in CNS?

If you choose to participate in our study, we will ask you to:

  • Complete questionnaires over Zoom with a study doctor about your medical history, functional abilities, and neurocognitive symptoms
  • Undergo a standard neurologic exam, complete thinking and memory tests using paper and pencil, and give a blood sample.
  • If willing and eligible, you may undergo a spinal tap (also called a lumbar puncture) to collect cerebrospinal fluid for analysis
  • If willing and eligible, you may have your brain scanned (MRI) to look at brain structure
  • Participate in up to six follow-up visits over two years
  • We offer visit summaries of your collected study data that can be shared with you and your primary care physician, if you choose.

How long will it take to complete CNS?

For most participants, participation in the study will last two years.

 

Want more information?

Click below to contact the study team by email at [email protected]. You can also reach the study team by phone at (415) 502-5141.

 

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