Longitudinal changes in global structural brain connectivity and cognitive performance in former hospitalized COVID-19 survivors: an exploratory study.

Background: Long-term sequelae of COVID-19 can result in reduced functionality of the central nervous system and substandard quality of life. Gaining insight into the recovery trajectory of admitted COVID-19 patients on their cognitive performance and global structural brain connectivity may allow a better understanding of the diseases' relevance.

Objectives: To assess whole-brain structural connectivity in former non-intensive-care unit (ICU)- and ICU-admitted COVID-19 survivors over 2 months following hospital discharge and correlate structural connectivity measures to cognitive performance.

Adults with Down syndrome have reduced cardiac response after light exercise testing.

Objective: Physical fitness is reduced in adults with Down syndrome (DS). The present study was conducted to elucidate the exercise response in adults with DS.

Design: Case controlled before-after trial.

'The sedentary heart': physical inactivity is associated with cardiac atrophy in adults with an intellectual disability.

Background: The cardiac muscle is well regulated in response to changes in loading conditions. This cardiac plasticity has been studied intensively and is well known in trained athletes. Conversely, the mechanisms leading to the opposite response are less clear.

Congenital heart defects are under-recognised in adult patients with Down's syndrome.

Background: Congenital heart defects (CHD) are common in patients with Down's syndrome; however, patients living in residential centres have not always been screened for CHD in the past. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of CHD in patients with Down's syndrome living in residential centres, and to determine whether cardiac screening should be recommended.

Methods: Between January 2007 and November 2009 Dutch residential centres nationwide were randomly sampled.