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Review
. 2023 Sep;23(9):531-538.
doi: 10.1007/s11910-023-01286-y. Epub 2023 Jul 25.

Cognitive Aspects of COVID-19

Ezekiel Gonzalez-Fernandez  1 , Juebin Huang  2
Affiliations
Review

Cognitive Aspects of COVID-19

Ezekiel Gonzalez-Fernandez et al. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2023 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, many lasting neurological sequelae including cognitive impairment have been recognized as part of the so-called long COVID syndrome. This narrative review summarizes the cognitive aspects of COVID-19.

Recent findings: Studies have consistently identified attention, memory, and executive functions as the cognitive domains most often affected by COVID-19 infection. Many studies have also reported neuroimaging, biofluid, and neurophysiological abnormalities that could potentially reflect the pathophysiological aspects of post-COVID cognitive impairment. While patients suffering from dementia have an elevated risk of COVID-19 infection, increasing evidence has also indicated that COVID-19 infection may increase the risks of Alzheimer's disease, suggesting bidirectional relationships. Post-COVID cognitive dysfunction is a pervasive and multifaceted problem and we are surely in our infancy of understanding. Future elucidation into the long-term effects, mechanisms, and therapies will depend on a concerted effort from clinicians, researchers, patients, and policy-makers alike.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cognitive Dysfunction; Long COVID; SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance
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