Neurology and the COVID-19 Pandemic
Gathering Data for an Informed Response
Citation Manager Formats
Make Comment
See Comments

Abstract
Purpose of Review The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is one of the greatest medical crises faced by our current generation of health care providers. Although much remains to be learned about the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2, there is both historical precedent from other coronaviruses and a growing number of case reports and series that point to neurologic consequences of COVID-19.
Recent Findings Olfactory/taste disturbances and increased risk of strokes and encephalopathies have emerged as potential consequences of COVID-19 infection. Evidence regarding whether these sequelae result indirectly from systemic infection or directly from neuroinvasion by SARS-CoV-2 is emerging.
Summary This review summarizes the current understanding of SARS-CoV-2 placed in context with our knowledge of other human coronaviruses. Evidence and data regarding neurologic sequelae of COVID-19 and the neuroinvasive potential of human coronaviruses are provided along with a summary of patient registries of interest to the Neurology community.
Footnotes
Funding information and disclosures are provided at the end of the article. Full disclosure form information provided by the authors is available with the full text of this article at Neurology.org/cp.
↵* These authors contributed equally to the manuscript.
- Received April 30, 2020.
- Accepted June 18, 2020.
- © 2020 American Academy of Neurology
The Nerve!: Rapid online correspondence
REQUIREMENTS
You must ensure that your Disclosures have been updated within the previous six months. Please go to our Submission Site to add or update your Disclosure information.
Your co-authors must send a completed Publishing Agreement Form to Neurology Staff (not necessary for the lead/corresponding author as the form below will suffice) before you upload your comment.
If you are responding to a comment that was written about an article you originally authored:
You (and co-authors) do not need to fill out forms or check disclosures as author forms are still valid
and apply to letter.
Submission specifications:
- Submissions must be < 200 words with < 5 references. Reference 1 must be the article on which you are commenting.
- Submissions should not have more than 5 authors. (Exception: original author replies can include all original authors of the article)
- Submit only on articles published within 6 months of issue date.
- Do not be redundant. Read any comments already posted on the article prior to submission.
- Submitted comments are subject to editing and editor review prior to posting.
You May Also be Interested in
- Article
- Abstract
- Basic Virology
- Clinical Spectrum and Transmission of COVID-19
- Neurologic Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19
- Neurologic Sequelae of Other HCoVs
- Possible Mechanisms of HCoV Neuroinvasion
- Long-term Neurologic Sequelae of CoV Infection
- Clinical Recommendations and Resources
- Conclusions
- Acknowledgment
- Study Funding
- Disclosure
- Appendix Authors
- Footnotes
- References
- Figures & Data
- Info & Disclosures
Dr. Ann Yeh and Dr. Daniela Castillo Villagrán
► Watch
Related Articles
- No related articles found.
Topics Discussed
Alert Me
Recommended articles
-
Views & Reviews
Presentations and mechanisms of CNS disorders related to COVID-19Marta Bodro, Yaroslau Compta, Raquel Sánchez-Valle et al.Neurology: Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation, December 11, 2020 -
Review
Potential Neurologic Manifestations of COVID-19Anna S. Nordvig, Kathryn T. Fong, Joshua Z. Willey et al.Neurology: Clinical Practice, June 30, 2020 -
Commentary
Looking aheadThe risk of neurologic complications due to COVID-19Carlos A. Pérez et al.Neurology: Clinical Practice, April 09, 2020 -
Editorial
Cranial neuropathies and COVID-19Neurotropism and autoimmunityFiona Costello, Marinos C. Dalakas et al.Neurology, June 02, 2020