eISSN: 2720-5371
ISSN: 1230-2813
Advances in Psychiatry and Neurology/Postępy Psychiatrii i Neurologii
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2/2021
vol. 30
 
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abstract:
Review article

Neuropsychological disorders after COVID-19. Urgent need for research and clinical practice

Emilia Łojek
1
,
Anna R. Egbert
2, 3
,
Małgorzata Gambin
1
,
Natalia Gawron
4
,
Joanna Gorgol
1
,
Karolina Hansen
1
,
Paweł Holas
1
,
Sylwia Hyniewska
5
,
Ewa Malinowska
1
,
Agnieszka Pluta
1
,
Marcin Sękowski
4
,
Oksana Vitvitska
6
,
Julia Wyszomirska
7
,
Dominika Żarnecka
1

1.
Zespół Badawczy NeuroCovid, Wydział Psychologii, Uniwersytet Warszawski, Polska
2.
Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
3.
Ronin Institute, New Jersey, USA
4.
Akademia Pedagogiki Specjalnej im. M. Grzegorzewskiej, Warszawa, Polska
5.
Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
6.
SWPS Uniwersytet Humanistycznospołeczny, Warszawa, Polska
7.
Department of Psychology, Chair of Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
Adv Psychiatry Neurol 2021; 30 (2): 104-112
Online publish date: 2021/08/15
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Purpose
Numerous studies suggest that infection with coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes acute respiratory distress syndrome and COVID-19 illness, can lead to changes in the central nervous system (CNS). Consequently, some individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection may also present the symptoms of neuropsychological disorders. The goals of this literature review is the synthesis of various perspectives and up-to-date scientific knowledge as well as the formulation of initial recommendations for clinical practice.

Views
According to current state of knowledge, numerous SARS-CoV-2 infection-specific and nonspecific risk factors exist for brain damage, which might lead to neuropsychological impairments in individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. The emerging evidence suggests significant behavioral and cognitive deficits in COVID-19 survivors, which are present in the early phase after recovery and persist for several months. Neuropsychological disturbances can potentially include a wide spectrum of disorders, yet deficits of attention, memory, executive functions, language and visuospatial orientation are among most commonly identified. The relationship between cognitive impairment, emotional disturbances and severity of COVID-19 symptoms needs to be submitted to further research.

Conclusions
The scientific knowledge resulting from neuropsychological empirical studies during the COVID-19 pandemic allows for a postulate of an urgent evidence-based systematic neuropsychological research to be conducted among COVID-19 survivors. More than anything, the recovered individuals must be provided with adequate neuropsychological help in the form of neuropsychological diagnosis, monitoring and rehabilitation.

keywords:

clinical practice, neuropsychological impairment, COVID-19, brain disorders

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