Neurological Implications of COVID-19 Infections

Neurocrit Care. 2020 Jun;32(3):667-671. doi: 10.1007/s12028-020-00978-4.

Abstract

The magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic will result in substantial neurological disease, whether through direct infection (rare), para-infectious complications (less rare), or critical illness more generally (common). Here, we raise the importance of stringent diagnosis and data collection regarding neurological complications of COVID-19; we urge caution in the over-diagnosis of neurological disease where it does not exist, but equally strongly encourage the concerted surveillance for such conditions. Additional to the direct neurological complications of COVID-19 infection, neurological patients are at risk of harm from both structural limitations (such as number of intensive care beds), and a hesitancy to treat with certain necessary medications given risk of nosocomial COVID-19 infection. We therefore also outline the specific management of patients with neuroinflammatory diseases in the context of the pandemic. This article describes the implications of COVID-19 on neurological disease and advertises the Neurocritical Care Society's international data collection collaborative that seeks to align data elements.

Keywords: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis; COVID-19; Encephalitis; Guillain–Barré syndrome.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / etiology
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications
  • Coronavirus Infections / physiopathology*
  • Critical Care
  • Critical Illness
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control
  • Data Collection
  • Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated / etiology
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / etiology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Infection Control
  • International Cooperation
  • Myelitis, Transverse / etiology
  • Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy
  • Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications
  • Pneumonia, Viral / physiopathology*
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents