Brain diffusion alterations in patients with COVID-19 pathology and neurological manifestations

This study aimed at quantifying brain diffusion alterations on DWI scans in 215 COVID-19 patients with neurological manifestations as compared with 36 normal controls. The Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) was quantified in brain tissues and regions, using an in-house MRI processing procedure. In COVID-19 patients, a widespread significant increase in ADC was found in white matter. ADC values were significantly correlated with MRI time from disease onset. ADC alteration was highest in hospitalized patients. Patients with neurological disorders showed significantly higher ADC than those with olfactory loss only. DWI shows potential as a non-invasive marker of neuroinflammation in COVID-19.