Early Detection of Cognitive Impairment and Lifestyle Interventions

A Special Issue of Diseases (ISSN 2079-9721) belonging to the section "Neuro-psychiatric Disorders".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2027 | Viewed by 891

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Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, SP 8 Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
Interests: olfactory function; gustatory function; neurodegenerative diseases; cognitive function; COVID-19; nutrition
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Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, SP 8 Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
Interests: neurophysiology; chemoreception; neurodegenerative disease; mild cognitive impairment; neuroscience
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cognitive decline early identification plays an important role in developing potential strategies in the population, ranging from healthy individuals to those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The evaluation of cognitive abilities in healthy subjects allows for the detection of impairment at an early stage. In fact, cognitive screening is the gold standard for diagnosing MCI. MCI is a reversible prodromal stage that offers an opportunity for personalized preventive strategies. Among these strategies, a healthy lifestyle is gaining increasing importance, combining regular physical activity, a Mediterranean diet, cognitive training and the management of cardiovascular risk factors. Telemedicine is emerging as a promising tool for implementing accessible and personalized preventive approaches. Furthermore, telemedicine is particularly effective in patients with MCI and helps reduce social isolation and the burden of care.

In this perspective, chemosensory dysfunction, often associated with Long COVID-19 and neurodegenerative conditions, represents a potential early biomarker of cognitive decline. The integration of cognitive screening, assessment of chemosensory dysfunction (olfactory and gustatory) and personalized lifestyle approaches can offer a multidisciplinary method to the prevention of cognitive decline.

Original research articles, review articles, short communications and case reports are welcome.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Brain Sciences.

Dr. Carla Masala
Dr. Ilenia Pinna
Dr. Francesco Loy
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • cognitive abilities
  • healthy subjects
  • mild cognitive impairment
  • cognitive screening
  • telemedicine
  • cognitive decline
  • prevention
  • chemosensory dysfunction

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

16 pages, 798 KB  
Article
Effect of Long COVID-19: Self-Reported Questionnaires and Objective Olfactory and Gustatory Evaluations
by Ilenia Pinna, Paolo Solla, Gianni Orofino, Tommaso Ercoli, Francesco Salis, Francesco Loy and Carla Masala
Diseases 2026, 14(7), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases14070256 - 15 Jul 2026
Viewed by 583
Abstract
Background/Objectives: COVID-19 has triggered a global health crisis with sequelae extending beyond the acute phase of infection. Long COVID-19 is characterized by the persistence or new onset of symptoms weeks to months after the initial infection, including fatigue, cognitive impairment, and chemosensory dysfunction. [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: COVID-19 has triggered a global health crisis with sequelae extending beyond the acute phase of infection. Long COVID-19 is characterized by the persistence or new onset of symptoms weeks to months after the initial infection, including fatigue, cognitive impairment, and chemosensory dysfunction. Despite growing clinical evidence, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, distribution, and evolution of symptoms during the post-acute phases, with particular emphasis on olfactory and gustatory alterations. Methods: An observational study used a structured online questionnaire to collect demographic and clinical data from individuals with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants (n = 798) with persistent symptoms beyond 4–8 weeks were included. A subgroup of participants living in Sardinia underwent objective chemosensory assessment using the Sniffin’ Sticks test and the Taste Strips test for olfactory and gustatory function, respectively. Results: A high percentage of participants reported persistent symptoms consistent with long COVID-19, including fatigue, dyspnea, cognitive impairment, and chemosensory alterations. Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions were among the most frequent manifestations. Objective assessments confirmed the presence and severity of these deficits, in accordance with data obtained using self-reported questionnaires. Symptom profiles evolved, suggesting possible central nervous system involvement and persistent inflammatory mechanisms. Conclusions: Long COVID-19 is a complex multisystem condition with a significant impact on quality of life. Chemosensory dysfunctions may serve as useful clinical markers for patient monitoring and stratification. Integrating subjective and objective data improves diagnostic accuracy and supports the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Detection of Cognitive Impairment and Lifestyle Interventions)
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