PhD defence by Clara Springhorn Grønkjær

The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on brain health - SARS-CoV-2, neurological and mental health disorders

Assessment Committee:
Professor Merete Osler, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen (Chairperson)
Professor Anders Peter Hviid, Statens Serum Institut (SSI)
Associate professor Maxime Taquet, University of Oxford

Supervisors:
Clinical Professor Michael Eriksen Benros
Clinical Professor Daniel Kondziella
senior researcher Rune Haubo Christensen

Department:
Department of Immunology and Microbiology

Graduate Programme:
Biostatistics and Bioinformatics

Place:
The defence is conducted as a hybrid defence.

To attend the defence in persion:
Building 20, Room: Victor Haderup auditoriet, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Kbh N

To attend the defence online
Please follow the link to attend the defence online:
https://ucph-ku.zoom.us/j/62109899196?pwd=OO5tR3aB1wxuD7kALXc4b5aiTHoTuz.1
Meeting ID, if relevant: 621 0989 9196
Password, if relevant: 548196

Email address to gain access to the thesis: clara.springhorn.groenkjaer@regionh.dk 
You will either receive a copy of the thesis or be informed where you can read a physical copy.

Short description of the thesis:
This thesis examines the long-term consequences on brain health of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the broader impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in Denmark. Using nationwide Danish health registers and extensive PCR testing data, the studies followed millions of individuals throughout the pandemic. Epidemiological methods were used to investigate post-acute sequelae after COVID-19 and to assess changes in psychiatric healthcare use, suicide attempts, and suicides during lockdowns and across the pandemic period.