Neuropsychiatric Disorders and COVID-19: What We Know So Far

Long term outcomes of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in post covid condition: longitudinal follow-up of a randomized controlled trial

In our previous randomized controlled trial, we documented significant improvements in cognitive, psychiatric, fatigue, sleep, and pain symptoms among long Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID) patients who underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). The primary objective of the present study was to evaluate the enduring 1 year long term effects of HBOT on long COVID syndrome. This longitudinal long-term follow-up included 31 patients with reported post COVID-19 cognitive symptoms, who underwent 40 daily sessions of HBOT. Participants were recruited more than one year (486 ± 73) after completion of the last HBOT session. Quality of life, assessed using the short form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire revealed, that the long-term results exhibited a similar magnitude of improvement as the short-term outcomes following HBOT across most domains. Regarding sleep quality, improvements were observed in global score and across five sleep domains with effect sizes of moderate magnitude during the short-term evaluation, and these improvements persisted in the long-term assessment (effect size (ES1) = 0.47-0.79). In the realm of neuropsychiatric symptoms, as evaluated by the brief symptom inventory-18 (BSI-18), the short-term assessment following HBOT demonstrated a large effect size, and this effect persisted at the long-term evaluation. Both pain severity (ES1 = 0.69) and pain interference (ES1 = 0.83), had significant improvements during the short-term assessment post HBOT, which persisted at long term. The results indicate HBOT can improve the quality of life, quality of sleep, psychiatric and pain symptoms of patients suffering from long COVID. The clinical improvements gained by HBOT are persistent even 1 year after the last HBOT session.

Dantrolene and ryanodine receptors in COVID-19: The daunting task and neglected warden

Dantrolene (DTN) is a ryanodine receptor (RyR) antagonist that inhibits Ca²⁺ release from stores in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. DTN is mainly used in the management of malignant hyperthermia. RyRs are highly expressed in immune cells and are involved in different viral infections, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), because Ca²⁺ is necessary for viral replication, maturation and release. DTN can inhibit the proliferation of SARS-CoV-2, indicating its potential role in reducing entry and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2. DTN may increase clearance of SARS-CoV-2 and promote coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recovery by shortening the period of infection. DTN inhibits N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) mediated platelets aggregations and thrombosis. Therefore, DTN may inhibit thrombosis and coagulopathy in COVID-19 through suppression of platelet NMDA receptors. Moreover, DTN has a neuroprotective effect against SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced brain injury through modulation of NMDA receptors, which are involved in excitotoxicity, neuronal injury and the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. In conclusion, DTN by inhibiting RyRs may attenuate inflammatory disorders in SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated cardio-pulmonary complications. Therefore, DNT could be a promising drug therapy against COVID-19. Preclinical and clinical studies are warranted in this regards.

Neuropsychiatric Manifestations of COVID-19 in Hospitalized Pediatrics: A Multicenter Cross-sectional Study

Background: The large proportion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients has been associated with a large number of neuropsychiatric manifestations. Despite the high prevalence of COVID-19, few studies have examined such manifestations, especially in children and adolescents. Objectives: This study investigated neuropsychiatric manifestations in hospitalized children and adolescents admitted for COVID-19 infection in Iran. Methods: This prospective observational study included admitted children and adolescents (4 - 18 years old) diagnosed with COVID-19 infection, pediatric neurologists, child and adolescent psychiatrists, and infectious disease specialists, and assessed 375 infected patients during August and December 2021. Results: Of the 375 patients, 176 (47%) were female, with a mean age of 9.0 ± 3.39 years. Psychiatric and neurological manifestations were reported in 58 (15.5%) and 58 (15.5%) patients, respectively. The most prevalent psychiatric disorders were separation anxiety disorder (SAD) (5.1%), major depressive disorder (MDD) (3.5%), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (2.7%), insomnia (2.4%), and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) (2.4%). Regarding neurological complications, seizures were the most prevalent (13.1%), followed by encephalitis (1.9%), transverse myelitis (0.3%), acute ischemic stroke (0.3%), and Guillain-Barre syndrome (0.3%). There was no significant relationship between the duration of COVID-19 infection (P = 0.54) and ICU admission (P = 0.44) with the emergence of psychiatric symptoms. Conclusions: The most prevalent neurologic and psychiatric complications among children and adolescents with COVID-19 infection were seizures and the symptoms of anxiety/mood disorders, respectively.

[Post-COVID syndrome in the neurological practice]

Postcovid syndrome (PCS) is a complex multifactorial clinical condition that is a frequent complication of COVID-19. The development of PCS does not depend on the severity of the initial infectious disease, it has a pronounced effect on the quality of life and is characterized by a tendency to a protracted course. In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the emergence of new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it is important to develop common approaches to the diagnosis and management of patients suffering from this medical condition. The review presents current data on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and diagnosis of the PCS. The approaches to therapy of PCS are discussed, as well as the role of Cortexin, taking into account both theoretical and accumulated clinical data.

Citicoline and COVID-19: vis-à-vis conjectured

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a current pandemic disease caused by a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus virus respiratory type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 infection is linked with various neurological manifestations due to cytokine-induced disruption of the blood brain barrier (BBB), neuroinflammation, and peripheral neuronal injury, or due to direct SARS-CoV-2 neurotropism. Of note, many repurposed agents were included in different therapeutic protocols in the management of COVID-19. These agents did not produce an effective therapeutic eradication of SARS-CoV-2, and continuing searching for novel anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents is a type of challenge nowadays. Therefore, this study aimed to review the potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of citicoline in the management of COVID-19.

Neurological consequences of COVID-19

In December 2019, cases of pneumonia caused by infection with the previously unknown severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), leading to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), were identified. Typical manifestations of COVID-19 are fever, cough, fatigue and dyspnoea. Initially, it was thought that the mechanism of action of SARS-CoV-2 was only associated with respiratory tract invasion, but it was later revealed that the infection might involve many other organs and systems, including the central and peripheral nervous systems. Neurological complications associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection include encephalopathy, encephalitis, meningitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. In cases of peripheral nervous system involvement, smell and taste disorders, myopathy or the signs and symptoms of Guillain‒Barré syndrome are observed. The most common early neurological complications, particularly during the first year of the epidemic, were anosmia and taste disorders, which, according to some studies, occurred in over 80 percent of patients with COVID-19. The proportion of patients with serious neurological manifestations was small compared to the global number of patients, but the numbers of SARS-CoV-2 infections and critical patients increased substantially. The experience from 2 years of the pandemic has shown that approximately 13% of infected patients suffer from severe neurological complications. The relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and the nervous system is not only a cause of neurological complications in previously healthy individuals but also directly and indirectly affects the courses of many nervous system diseases.

Pathophysiology of Post-COVID syndromes: a new perspective

Most COVID-19 patients recovered with low mortality; however, some patients experienced long-term symptoms described as “long-COVID” or “Post-COVID syndrome” (PCS). Patients may have persisting symptoms for weeks after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, including dyspnea, fatigue, myalgia, insomnia, cognitive and olfactory disorders. These symptoms may last for months in some patients. PCS may progress in association with the development of mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), which is a distinct kind of mast cell activation disorder, characterized by hyper-activation of mast cells with inappropriate and excessive release of chemical mediators. COVID-19 survivors, mainly women, and patients with persistent severe fatigue for 10 weeks after recovery with a history of neuropsychiatric disorders are more prone to develop PCS. High D-dimer levels and blood urea nitrogen were observed to be risk factors associated with pulmonary dysfunction in COVID-19 survivors 3 months post-hospital discharge with the development of PCS. PCS has systemic manifestations that resolve with time with no further complications. However, the final outcomes of PCS are chiefly unknown. Persistence of inflammatory reactions, autoimmune mimicry, and reactivation of pathogens together with host microbiome alterations may contribute to the development of PCS. The deregulated release of inflammatory mediators in MCAS produces extraordinary symptoms in patients with PCS. The development of MCAS during the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection is correlated to COVID-19 severity and the development of PCS. Therefore, MCAS is treated by antihistamines, inhibition of synthesis of mediators, inhibition of mediator release, and inhibition of degranulation of mast cells.

Post-COVID (PCS) syndrome may progress in association with the development of mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS).

High D-dimer levels and blood urea nitrogen were observed to be risk factors associated with pulmonary dysfunction in COVID-19 survivors 3 months post-hospital discharge with the development of PCS.

Persistence of inflammatory reactions, autoimmune mimicry, and reactivation of pathogens together with host microbiome alterations may contribute to the development of PCS.

MCAS is treated by antihistamines, inhibition of synthesis of mediators, inhibition of mediator release, and inhibition of degranulation of mast cells.

HIV, HSV, SARS-CoV-2 and Ebola Share Long-Term Neuropsychiatric Sequelae

Long COVID, in which disease-related symptoms persist for months after recovery, has led to a revival of the discussion of whether neuropsychiatric long-term symptoms after viral infections indeed result from virulent activity or are purely psychological phenomena. In this review, we demonstrate that, despite showing differences in structure and targeting, many viruses have highly similar neuropsychiatric effects on the host. Herein, we compare severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), Ebola virus disease (EVD), and herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). We provide evidence that the mutual symptoms of acute and long-term anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress among these viral infections are likely to result from primary viral activity, thus suggesting that these viruses share neuroinvasive strategies in common. Moreover, it appears that secondary induced environmental stress can lead to the emergence of psychopathologies and increased susceptibility to viral (re)infection in infected individuals. We hypothesize that a positive feedback loop of virus-environment-reinforced systemic responses exists. It is surmised that this cycle of primary virulent activity and secondary stress-induced reactivation, may be detrimental to infected individuals by maintaining and reinforcing the host's immunocompromised state of chronic inflammation, immunological strain, and maladaptive central-nervous-system activity. We propose that this state can lead to perturbed cognitive processing and promote aversive learning, which may manifest as acute, long-term neuropsychiatric illness.

Long-Term Evolution of Malnutrition and Loss of Muscle Strength after COVID-19: A Major and Neglected Component of Long COVID-19

Post-acute consequences of COVID-19, also termed long COVID, include signs and symptoms persisting for more than 12 weeks with prolonged multisystem involvement; most often, however, malnutrition is ignored.

METHOD

The objective was to analyze persistent symptoms, nutritional status, the evolution of muscle strength and performance status (PS) at 6 months post-discharge in a cohort of COVID-19 survivors.

RESULTS

Of 549 consecutive patients hospitalized for COVID-19 between 1 March and 29 April 2020, 23.7% died and 288 patients were at home at D30 post-discharge. At this date, 136 of them (47.2%) presented persistent malnutrition, a significant decrease in muscle strength or a PS ≥ 2. These patients received dietary counseling, nutritional supplementation, adapted physical activity guidance or physiotherapy assistance, or were admitted to post-care facilities. At 6 months post-discharge, 91.0% of the 136 patients (n = 119) were evaluated and 36.0% had persistent malnutrition, 14.3% complained of a significant decrease in muscle strength and 14.9% had a performance status > 2. Obesity was more frequent in patients with impairment than in those without (52.8% vs. 31.0%; p = 0.0071), with these patients being admitted more frequently to ICUs (50.9% vs. 31.3%; p = 0.010). Among those with persistent symptoms, 10% had psychiatric co-morbidities (mood disorders, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress syndrome), 7.6% had prolonged pneumological symptoms and 4.2% had neurological symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Obese subjects as well as patients who have stayed in intensive care have a higher risk of functional loss or undernutrition 6 months after a severe COVID infection. Malnutrition and loss of muscle strength should be considered in the clinical assessment of these patients.