Neuroimaging insights into the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review.

ingentiumby ingentium

In Discovery Literature.

Publication date: Jul 10, 2025

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an unprecedented threat to global health. However, neural substrates underlying mental health vulnerabilities brought by the pandemic remain elusive. We conducted a systematic review relating structural and functional brain abnormalities to mental health issues associated with COVID-19 at brain regional and network levels. A literature search on neuroimaging studies of mental health problems derived by COVID-19 was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science and MEDLINE databases. We identified 46 studies across various imaging techniques and found that COVID-19-related mental health problems were principally associated with brain structural and functional alterations in the prefrontal cortex, insula, cingulate, hippocampus, and amygdala, as well as the affective cortical network. This review may facilitate the targeted development of therapies tailored to the pandemic context and provide insights for proactive prevention against future collective stressors and traumas.

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Concepts Keywords
Amygdala Brain
Databases COVID-19
Future Humans
Pandemic Mental Disorders
Psychiatry Neuroimaging
Pandemics
SARS-CoV-2

Semantics

Type Source Name
disease MESH COVID-19 pandemic
disease MESH abnormalities
disease MESH Long Covid
disease MESH infection
disease MESH uncertainty
disease MESH shock
drug DRUGBANK Trestolone
disease MESH anxiety
disease MESH depression
disease MESH sleep quality
disease MESH psychiatric disorders
drug DRUGBANK Guanosine
drug DRUGBANK Coenzyme M
disease MESH PTSD
disease MESH burnout
drug DRUGBANK Methionine
disease MESH vicarious traumatization
disease MESH occupational burnout
disease MESH emotional exhaustion
disease MESH depersonalization
drug DRUGBANK Factor IX Complex (Human)
drug DRUGBANK Huperzine B
disease MESH anhedonia
drug DRUGBANK Isoxaflutole
drug DRUGBANK Tilmicosin
disease MESH psychological stress
disease MESH personality disorders
disease IDO process
disease MESH schizophrenia
disease MESH autism
disease IDO symptom
disease MESH major depressive disorder
drug DRUGBANK Sulpiride
disease MESH anxiety disorder
drug DRUGBANK Citalopram
disease MESH morbidity
disease MESH Allergy
drug DRUGBANK Esomeprazole
drug DRUGBANK Cysteamine
drug DRUGBANK Adenosine
drug DRUGBANK D-Alanine
disease MESH callous unemotional traits
disease MESH disruptive behavior
disease MESH psychological distress
drug DRUGBANK Oxygen
disease MESH dissociation
disease MESH social anxiety disorders
disease MESH panic
disease MESH stroke
pathway REACTOME Reproduction

Original Article

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