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Maliha ST, Fatemi R, Araf Y. COVID-19 and the brain: understanding the pathogenesis and consequences of neurological damage. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:318. [PMID: 38386201 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09279-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has been known remarkably since December 2019 as a strain of pathogenic coronavirus. Starting from the earlier stages of the COVID-19 pandemic until now, we have witnessed many cases of neurological damage caused by SARS-CoV-2. There are many studies and research conducted on COVID-19-positive-patients that have found brain-related abnormalities with clear neurological symptoms, ranging from simple headaches to life-threatening strokes. For treating neurological damage, knowing the actual pathway or mechanism of causing brain damage via SARS-CoV-2 is very important. For this reason, we have tried to explain the possible pathways of brain damage due to SARS-CoV-2 with mechanisms and illustrations. The SARS-CoV-2 virus enters the human body by binding to specific ACE2 receptors in the targeted cells, which are present in the glial cells and CNS neurons of the human brain. It is found that direct and indirect infections with SARS-CoV-2 in the brain result in endothelial cell death, which alters the BBB tight junctions. These probable alterations can be the reason for the excessive transmission and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 in the human brain. In this precise review, we have tried to demonstrate the neurological symptoms in the case of COVID-19-positive-patients and the possible mechanisms of neurological damage, along with the treatment options for brain-related abnormalities. Knowing the transmission mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 in the human brain can assist us in generating novel treatments associated with neuroinflammation in other brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumaiya Tasnim Maliha
- Biotechnology Program, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, School of Data and Sciences, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Rabeya Fatemi
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, East West University, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Yusha Araf
- Department of Biotechnology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.
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Hanganu AR, Niculae CM, Dulămea AO, Moisă E, Constantin R, Neagu G, Hristea A. The outcome and risk factors associated with central and peripheral nervous system involvement in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a retrospective cohort study. Front Neurol 2024; 14:1338593. [PMID: 38274890 PMCID: PMC10808716 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1338593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction SARS-CoV-2 infection can affect any organ, including both the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). The aim of this study was to explore the outcome and risk factors associated with the involvement of either CNS or PNS in a cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods We performed a retrospective observational cohort study of hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19, between May 2020 and December 2022, presenting with new onset neurological disabilities any time after admission. Results We included 115 patients, 72 with CNS manifestations and 43 with PNS involvement. The CNS manifestations were COVID-19-associated encephalopathy, headache, neurovascular events, and seizures in 80.5, 43, 31.9, and 11.1% of patients, respectively. The neurovascular events were ischemic stroke in 17 (23.6%) patients, hemorrhagic stroke in 6 (8.3%) patients, venous thrombosis in 1 (1.4%) patient, and subarachnoid hemorrhage in 1 (1.4%) patient. Cranial nerve involvement was the most frequent PNS manifestation in 34 (79%) cases, followed by mononeuritis in 5 (11.6%) patients and polyneuropathy in 4 (9.3%) patients. The affected cranial nerves were the vestibulocochlear nerve in 26 (60.5%) patients, the olfactory nerve in 24 (55.8%) patients, the oculomotor nerves in 5 (11.6%) patients, and the facial nerve in 1 (2.3%) patient. Two patients (9.3%) presented with polyneuritis cranialis. Older age (HR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.003-1.037, p = 0.01), COVID severity (HR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.42-4.5, p = 0.002), ischemic cardiac disease (HR = 2.42, 95% CI: 1.05-5.6, p = 0.03), and increased D-dimers (HR = 1.00, 95% CI: 1.00-1.00, p = 0.02) were independently associated with the development of CNS manifestations. The factors associated with in-hospital mortality were age (HR = 1.059, 95% CI: 1.024-1.096, p = 0.001), C-reactive protein (HR = 1.006, 95% CI: 1.00-1.011, p = 0.03), CNS involvement (HR = 9.155, 95% CI: 1.185-70.74, p = 0.03), and leucocyte number (HR = 1.053, 95% CI: 1.026-1.081, p < 0.001). Conclusion COVID-19-associated encephalopathy was the most common CNS manifestation in our study, but neurovascular events are also important considering the overlap between inflammatory and prothrombotic pathways, especially in severe cases. CNS involvement was associated with in-hospital all-cause mortality. PNS findings were various, involving mostly the cranial nerves, especially the vestibulocochlear nerve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Raluca Hanganu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, Bucharest, Romania
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Bals”, Bucharest, Romania
- Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristian-Mihail Niculae
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, Bucharest, Romania
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Bals”, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adriana Octaviana Dulămea
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, Bucharest, Romania
- Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Emanuel Moisă
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, Bucharest, Romania
- Elias University Emergency Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Rareș Constantin
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Bals”, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Georgiana Neagu
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Bals”, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adriana Hristea
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, Bucharest, Romania
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Bals”, Bucharest, Romania
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Devlin L, Gombolay GY. Cerebrospinal fluid cytokines in COVID-19: a review and meta-analysis. J Neurol 2023; 270:5155-5161. [PMID: 37581633 PMCID: PMC10591843 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11928-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neurological involvement can occur in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections, resulting in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Cytokine alterations are associated with neurological symptoms in COVID-19. We performed a review of cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with COVID-19. METHODS Two reviewers independently searched PubMed for all relevant articles published prior to November 11, 2022. Active SARS-CoV-2 infection and CSF cytokine analyses were required for inclusion. RESULTS Three-hundred forty-six patients with COVID-19 and 356 controls from 28 studies were included. SARS-CoV-2 PCR was positive in the CSF of 0.9% (3/337) of patients with COVID-19. Thirty-seven different cytokines were elevated in the CSF of patients with COVID-19 when compared to controls and the standards set forth by individual assays used in each study. Of the 37 cytokines, IL-6 and IL-8 were most commonly elevated. CSF IL-6 is elevated in 60%, and CSF IL-8 is elevated in 51% of patients with COVID-19. CONCLUSION Levels of several inflammatory cytokines are elevated in the CSF of patients with COVID-19, and SARS-CoV-2 PCR is often not isolated in the CSF of patients with COVID-19. Many patients with COVID-19 have neurological symptoms and given the cytokine elevations in the absence of detectable viral RNA in cerebrospinal fluid; further study of the CSF cytokine profiles and pathogenesis of neurological symptoms in COVID-19 is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily Devlin
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Grace Y Gombolay
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Emory University, 1400 Tulle Road NE, 8th Floor, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Karami S, Khalaj F, Sotoudeh H, Tajabadi Z, Shahidi R, Habibi MA, Sattari MS, Azimi A, Forouzannia SA, Rafiei R, Reihani H, Nemati R, Teimori S, Khalaji A, Sarmadi V, Dadjou A. Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy in Adult Patients With COVID-19: A Systematic Review of Case Reports and Case Series. J Clin Neurol 2023; 19:597-611. [PMID: 37455513 PMCID: PMC10622717 DOI: 10.3988/jcn.2022.0431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a rare neurological disorder that is often associated with viral infections. Since the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a few COVID-19-associated ANE cases have been reported. Since very little is known about ANE, the present study aimed to determine the clinical, biochemical, and radiological characteristics of affected patients. METHODS A search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases for articles published up to August 30, 2022 using relevant keywords. Case reports and series in the English language that reported ANE in adult patients with COVID-19 confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were included in this study. Data on the demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of patients were extracted and analyzed using the SPSS software (version 26). RESULTS The study included 30 patients (18 males) with COVID-19 and ANE who were aged 49.87±18.68 years (mean±standard deviation). Fever was the most-prevalent symptom at presentation (66.7%). Elevated C-reactive protein was observed in the laboratory assessments of 13 patients. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were the most-common radiological modalities used for brain assessments. The most commonly prescribed medications were methylprednisolone (30%) and remdesivir (26.7%). Sixteen patients died prior to discharge. CONCLUSIONS The diagnosis of COVID-19-associated ANE requires a thorough knowledge of the disease. Since the clinical presentations of ANE are neither sensitive nor specific, further laboratory and brain radiological evaluations will be needed to confirm the diagnosis. The suspicion of ANE should be raised among patients with COVID-19 who present with progressive neurological symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaghayegh Karami
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fattaneh Khalaj
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Houman Sotoudeh
- Department of Radiology and Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Zohreh Tajabadi
- Digestive Disease Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ramin Shahidi
- School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Amin Habibi
- Clinical Research Development Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | | | - Amir Azimi
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Ali Forouzannia
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Romina Rafiei
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Reihani
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Reza Nemati
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Soraya Teimori
- Young Researchers and Elites Club, Faculty of Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Yazd Branch, Iran
| | | | - Vida Sarmadi
- School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Ali Dadjou
- School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
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Chang YM, Chen CH, Wang JN, Cheng CM, Tu YF, Shen CF. Case report: Distinct neurologic manifestation and cytokine profile of a child with COVID-19-associated acute fulminant encephalitis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1209656. [PMID: 37384050 PMCID: PMC10299828 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1209656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurologic manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may range from mild symptoms such as headache or confusion to profound encephalopathy with variable outcomes and sequelae. Here, we reported a case of fatal COVID-19-associated encephalitis with acute fulminant cerebral edema, presenting first with visual hallucination and then a rapid progression into comatose status in a few hours. Serial brain computed tomography depicted cerebral edematous changes from bilateral ventral temporal lobe to the whole brain leading to brain herniation. Multiple cytokines in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were increased, with a more prominent rise in the CSF. Therefore, we postulated a hypothesis regarding the mechanism of this fulminant encephalitis that the SARS-CoV-2 virus attacked ventral temporal lobes initially, triggered a severe cytokine storm, and then led to subsequent disruption of the blood-brain barrier, diffuse brain edema, and brain herniation. The trend of cytokine profiles over time may aid in diagnosing and evaluating the severity and prognosis of COVID-19-associated encephalitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ming Chang
- Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Han Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jieh-Neng Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Min Cheng
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Fang Tu
- Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Fen Shen
- Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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A Rare Single Case of COVID-19-Induced Acute Myocarditis and Encephalopathy Presenting Simultaneously. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11030541. [PMID: 36992125 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may result in cardiovascular complications such as myocarditis, while encephalitis is a potentially life-threatening COVID-19-associated central nervous system complication. This case illustrates the possibility of developing severe multisystem symptoms from a COVID-19 infection, despite having received the COVID-19 vaccine within the year. Delay in treatment for myocarditis and encephalopathy can lead to permanent and possibly fatal damage. Our patient, a middle-aged female with a complicated medical history, initially came in without characteristic manifestations of myocarditis such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or arrhythmia, but with an altered mental status. Through further laboratory tests, the patient was diagnosed with myocarditis and encephalopathy, which were resolved within weeks through medical management and physical/occupational therapy. This case presentation describes the first reported case of concomitant COVID-19 myocarditis and encephalitis after receiving a booster dose within the year.
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Muacevic A, Adler JR, Babar M, Patel N, Song M, Mathew M. The Rationale for Using Corticosteroids in COVID-19 Encephalopathy: Lessons From a Case Report With Evidence From Literature. Cureus 2023; 15:e33233. [PMID: 36733547 PMCID: PMC9889839 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.33233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus primarily affects the pulmonary system, but neurological manifestations and complication of COVID-19 has been reported in abundance in the literature. We present a case of a middle-aged Caucasian male who was brought to the emergency department for altered mental status. His chief complaints were neurological rather than respiratory. A positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) nasal swab confirmed the diagnosis. Brain imaging showed mildly dilated ventricles with no other acute findings. As the patient did not require oxygen, he was treated with remdesivir alone without corticosteroids, which is also a precipitating factor of psychosis but, unfortunately, thickly used in practice. That led to remarkable results in full recovery without exposing the patient to steroid therapy. We strongly believe that remdesivir alone is sufficient in treating COVID-19-induced encephalopathy in a patient who does not require oxygen, and evidence supports this practice.
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Lee H, Jeon JH, Choi H, Koh SH, Lee KY, Lee YJ, Kwon HS. Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis after coronavirus disease 2019: A case report and literature review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e30464. [PMID: 36107550 PMCID: PMC9439623 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000030464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic and COVID-19-associated anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis may occur through an immune-mediated pathomechanism. PATIENT CONCERNS A 21-year-old woman with a history of COVID-19 presented to our hospital with memory decline and psychiatric symptoms. DIAGNOSIS The patient was diagnosed with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. INTERVENTION Intravenous methylprednisolone (1 g/day over 5 days) followed by immunoglobulin (0.4 g/kg/day over 5 days) were administered. The patient underwent laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy to remove an ovarian teratoma. OUTCOMES The patient was discharged with sequelae of short-term memory impairment, without other neuropsychiatric symptoms. LESSONS Cases of previously reported anti-NMDAR encephalitis with COVID-19 were reviewed and compared with the present case. Clinicians should be aware of the occurrence of anti-NMDAR encephalitis in patients who present with neuropsychiatric complaints during or after exposure to COVID-19. Further studies are required to determine the causal relationship between the 2 diseases and predict the prognosis of anti-NMDAR encephalitis after COVID-19 exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyesun Lee
- Department of Neurology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Hyun Jeon
- Department of Neurology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, Republic of Korea
| | - Hojin Choi
- Department of Neurology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Ho Koh
- Department of Neurology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Yong Lee
- Department of Neurology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Joo Lee
- Department of Neurology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuk Sung Kwon
- Department of Neurology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, Republic of Korea
- *Correspondence: Hyuk Sung Kwon, Department of Neurology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, 153, Gyeongchun-ro, Guri, 11923, Republic of Korea (e-mail: )
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Guedes BF. NeuroCOVID-19: a critical review. ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA 2022; 80:281-289. [PMID: 35976326 PMCID: PMC9491425 DOI: 10.1590/0004-282x-anp-2022-s136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged neurologists since its early days. Neurology consultation services were then overloaded by emergency department and intensive-care patients with acute neurological syndromes. These complications are better explained today, but the growing number of patients with reported longstanding neurological symptoms constitute an emerging, complex, and still poorly understood phenomenon. OBJECTIVE This review summarizes data on relevant neurological manifestations of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and lasting post-infectious disease, also known as Long COVID. The complex history of Long COVID is examined to illustrate the upsides and challenges imposed by the active participation of patient communities in the production of medical knowledge. METHODS Narrative review. RESULTS Infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is associated with encephalopathy/delirium, cerebrovascular disease, headache, and peripheral nervous system involvement. Long COVID is a living concept jointly defined by patient communities, physicians and scientists, including neurologists. CONCLUSION Co-production of Long COVID knowledge between scientists and patients has initiated an era of patient-led research and evidence-based activism that acts as a two-edged sword - putting patient's suffering in the spotlight, but with a tradeoff in methodological consistency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Fukelmann Guedes
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas, Departamento de Neurologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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