[Neurological Manifestations of COVID-19: Meningoencephalitis and Encephalopathy]

Brain Nerve. 2020 Oct;72(10):1031-1037. doi: 10.11477/mf.1416201644.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Although COVID-19 is predominantly characterized by respiratory symptoms, various types of diseases such as cerebral infarction, thrombosis, encephalitis/encephalopathy, and autoimmune disorders have been reported to be associated with COVID-19. Possible mechanisms for neurological complications of COVID-19 are 1) direct invasion of the virus into the nervous system, 2) neurological symptoms of COVID-19 as a systemic disease, 3) parainfectious neurological complications, and 4) an accidental neurological disorder during a pandemic are assumed. In this paper, encephalitis and encephalopathy have been reviewed as neuronal complications of COVID-19, discussing these pathological conditions and whether SARS-CoV-2 targets the central nervous system.

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • Brain Diseases* / etiology
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections* / complications
  • Humans
  • Meningoencephalitis* / etiology
  • Pandemics*
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / complications
  • SARS-CoV-2