European Working Group on SARS-CoV-2: Current Understanding, Unknowns, and Recommendations on the Neurological Complications of COVID-19

Abstract

Background: The emergence of COVID-19 was rapidly followed by infection and the deaths of millions of people across the globe. With much of the research and scientific advancement rightly focused on reducing the burden of severe and critical acute COVID-19 infection, the long-term effects endured by those who survived the acute infection has been previously overlooked. Now, an appreciation for the post-COVID-19 condition, including its neurological manifestations, is growing, although there remain many unknowns regarding the etiology and risk factors of the condition, as well as how to effectively diagnose and treat it. Methods: Here, drawing upon the experiences and expertise of the clinicians and academics of the European working group on COVID-19, we have reviewed the current literature to provide a comprehensive overview of the neurological sequalae of the post-COVID-19 condition. Results: In this review, we provide a summary of the neurological symptoms associated with the post-COVID-19 condition, before discussing the possible mechanisms which may underly and manifest these symptoms. Following this, we explore the risk factors for developing neurological symptoms as a result of COVID-19 and the post-COVID-19 condition, as well as how COVID-19 infection may itself be a risk factor for the development of neurological disease in the future. Lastly, we evaluate how the post-COVID condition could be accurately diagnosed and effectively treated, including examples of the current guidelines, clinical outcomes, and tools that have been developed to aid in this process, as well as addressing the protection provided by COVID-19 vaccines against the post-COVID-19 condition. Conclusions: Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the neurological sequalae of the post-COVID-19 condition. Impact statement With our understanding of the neurological complications of the post-COVID-19 condition currently lacking sufficient depth, this review aimed at highlighting the current knowns and unknowns of the post-COVID-19 condition. In this review, we draw upon the experiences and expertise of the clinicians and academics of the European working group on COVID-19, as well as explore the current published literature, to evaluate a range of topics associated with the neurological complications of the post-COVID-19 condition. As a result, we have provided a comprehensive review of the topic. The European Working Group on SARS-CoV-2 Many essential questions surrounding COVID-19 remain unanswered, including its neurological complications and associated sequalae. In this review, we aim at identifying the current gaps in our understanding of post-COVID-19 neurological sequalae and suggest how future studies should be undertaken to fill these gaps. This review will draw upon the current biological and mechanistic understanding of COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 complications to discuss the clinically relevant aspects associated with the neurological manifestations of post-COVID-19 syndrome. From our discussions, the following questions were considered highly relevant for contemplation.

Keywords: COVID-19; neurological complications; neurology; post-COVID-19 condition.