The purpose of the present study is to determine whether there is a decrease in the emotional response to experimental induction of dyspnea by hypoxic stimulation in subjects with a "neurological" form of COVID-19, compared to healthy controls.
SARS CoV-2 infection causes lung damage that can be severe enough to require artificial
ventilation. Clinicians taking care of these patients are surprised by the scant respiratory
sensations and emotional responses described by patients. This attenuation of respiratory
interoception deprives clinicians of the usual warning signs during respiratory
decompensation of dyspnea and its aggravation. It may be the result of central nerve damage.
This hypothesis is bolstered by the observation that within the multiple clinical forms of
COVID-19 infection there are some "neurological" forms (headache, anosmia, agueusia,
dizziness, without respiratory signs and with little or no fever), that are most likely the
consequence of olfactory penetration of the virus into the central nervous system (mechanism
described for SARS CoV-1).
Other: hypoxia : 14.3 and 12.7% FIO2, hypercapnia 7% CO2, inspiratory mechanical constraint
the fraction of inspired oxygen is reduced from ~21% (room air) to 14.3 and 12.7% allowing the SpO2 to decrease to ~75%, rebreathing test allowing the PCO2 to rise to 65 mmHg, inspiratory mechanical constraint with 50 to 75% of maximum inspiratory pressure
Inclusion Criteria:
- - adult (≥ 18 years old, unprotected);
- for COVID-19 + patients: COVID-19 + diagnosis; with quantitative or qualitative
anomalies in taste and smell; first symptoms appeared in less than 21 days
- for healthy subjects: have never presented any sign of COVID ; confirmed by recent
negative serology
- understanding French;
- affiliated to social security;
- having a BMI between 20 and 30;
- preferably non-smokers and in the event of recruitment difficulties, smokers but with
smoking <5 packs - year
- signature of the informed consent form
Exclusion Criteria:
- respiratory signs or symptoms (rhinitis, cough, shortness of breath at rest);
- temperature above 37.5 ° C;
- existence of a chronic respiratory pathology (including asthma and COPD in the first
row);
- pregnant women ;
- protected minors and adults, persons deprived of their liberty;
- not affiliated to a social security (including AME);
- contraindication to MRI (pace maker, intracranial implants, etc.).
Département R3S, hôpital de la pitié-salpêtrière
Paris, France