Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: LIVIA NASCIMENTO RABELO

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : LIVIA NASCIMENTO RABELO
DATE: 15/04/2025
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: MANIFESTAÇÕES NEUROCOGNITIVAS E NEUROPSIQUIÁTRICAS EM IDOSOS PÓS-COVID
TITLE:

Neurocognitive and Neuropsychiatric Manifestations in Older Adults Post-COVID

KEY WORDS:

Post-COVID Conditions; Cognitive changes; Neuropsychiatry.

PAGES: 154
BIG AREA: Ciências Humanas
AREA: Psicologia
SUBÁREA: Psicologia Fisiológica
SUMMARY:

In 2019, the world faced a pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is responsible for a respiratory infection that can generate several physical symptoms. A growing body of studies shows that the virus can affect the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric sequelae. Among the groups most vulnerable to COVID-19, the elderly stand out, due to their greater susceptibility to pathologies and neuropsychological disorders related to aging. Despite this, few studies explore the consequences of COVID-19 as short- and long-term risk factors in the elderly. Given this gap, this study seeks to contribute to the understanding of the possible cognitive and psychiatric sequelae in the elderly considering the post-pandemic scenario. Thus, the impact of COVID-19 on the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning of the elderly was investigated. For the cognitive assessment, a neuropsychological battery composed of the Psychological Battery for Attention Assessment (BPA-2), Five-Digit Span Test (FDT), Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) and Rey Complex Figures was applied, covering domains such as attention, processing speed, executive functions, memory and construction skills. Emotional and behavioral changes were examined through heart rate variability (HRV), Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), as well as the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale (PSQI-BR). The study was carried out in municipalities of Rio Grande do Norte, and in this first part of the research, 44 elderly people participated (22 diagnosed with covid and 22 without the diagnosis), among whom all met the inclusion criteria, the majority being female - 77% (without covid) and 91% (with covid). To compare the groups, the t-test for independent samples (parametric) and the Mann-Whitney test (nonparametric) were used, according to the data distribution. In addition, for the analysis of repeated measures, the Friedman test and Dunn's post-hoc test were used. Regarding the results, participants who did not have COVID-19 presented better results in the learning over time (ALT) index. However, the results in the other areas of the cognitive assessment and emotional screening showed no difference between the groups. This profile is expected to change markedly with the increase in the sample, the division of the group with COVID-19 into subgroups based on the severity of the infection, and the control of important variables, such as education and income. We believe that these data will be valuable for the development of strategies aimed at the health of the elderly, helping to improve behavioral, cognitive, and psychological deficits that may arise.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 2140860 - ROVENA CLARA GALVAO JANUARIO ENGELBERTH
Interno - ***.235.554-** - EZEQUIEL BATISTA DO NASCIMENTO - UFSB
Interna - 1665448 - KATIE MORAES DE ALMONDES
Externa à Instituição - IVANI BRYS - UFSM