Neuropsychological Outcomes in Adult Patients and Survivors of COVID-19
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is believed to affect central nervous system functions through various indirect, and possibly direct, mechanisms. We are only now beginning to understand the possible effects of the virus on human cognition. This review summarizes extant y...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2022-04-01
|
| Series: | Pathogens |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/4/465 |
| _version_ | 1797444395242356736 |
|---|---|
| author | Pamela E. May |
| author_facet | Pamela E. May |
| author_sort | Pamela E. May |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is believed to affect central nervous system functions through various indirect, and possibly direct, mechanisms. We are only now beginning to understand the possible effects of the virus on human cognition. This review summarizes extant yet limited literature on clinical neuropsychological findings in adult coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and survivors. Neuropsychological outcomes were often in the form of cognitive screen results, although various studies administered comprehensive batteries. With respect to screens, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment appeared relatively sensitive to cognitive dysfunction associated with COVID-19. Patients and survivors presented with weaknesses on screens and comprehensive batteries, although the pattern of these weaknesses was not specific to etiology. Broadly, weaknesses were suggestive of executive dysfunction, although more than one study did not detect significant impairment. Weaknesses should be interpreted cautiously due to potential confounds/contributing factors (weaknesses may partly reflect psychiatric sequelae; weaknesses may be over-interpreted due to inadequate assessment of premorbid functioning). Studies reported different approaches in defining impairment, likely contributing to variable findings. The current review discusses ongoing efforts to harmonize approaches to evaluating neuropsychological functioning globally, as well as emphasizes taking a comprehensive approach towards understanding how the disease affects cognition. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T13:11:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dda9ea5de30943b0bff0044c630ef429 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T13:11:02Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj.art-dda9ea5de30943b0bff0044c630ef4292023-11-30T21:42:30ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172022-04-0111446510.3390/pathogens11040465Neuropsychological Outcomes in Adult Patients and Survivors of COVID-19Pamela E. May0Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-8425, USASevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is believed to affect central nervous system functions through various indirect, and possibly direct, mechanisms. We are only now beginning to understand the possible effects of the virus on human cognition. This review summarizes extant yet limited literature on clinical neuropsychological findings in adult coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and survivors. Neuropsychological outcomes were often in the form of cognitive screen results, although various studies administered comprehensive batteries. With respect to screens, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment appeared relatively sensitive to cognitive dysfunction associated with COVID-19. Patients and survivors presented with weaknesses on screens and comprehensive batteries, although the pattern of these weaknesses was not specific to etiology. Broadly, weaknesses were suggestive of executive dysfunction, although more than one study did not detect significant impairment. Weaknesses should be interpreted cautiously due to potential confounds/contributing factors (weaknesses may partly reflect psychiatric sequelae; weaknesses may be over-interpreted due to inadequate assessment of premorbid functioning). Studies reported different approaches in defining impairment, likely contributing to variable findings. The current review discusses ongoing efforts to harmonize approaches to evaluating neuropsychological functioning globally, as well as emphasizes taking a comprehensive approach towards understanding how the disease affects cognition.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/4/465COVID-19coronavirusneuropsychologycognition |
| spellingShingle | Pamela E. May Neuropsychological Outcomes in Adult Patients and Survivors of COVID-19 Pathogens COVID-19 coronavirus neuropsychology cognition |
| title | Neuropsychological Outcomes in Adult Patients and Survivors of COVID-19 |
| title_full | Neuropsychological Outcomes in Adult Patients and Survivors of COVID-19 |
| title_fullStr | Neuropsychological Outcomes in Adult Patients and Survivors of COVID-19 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neuropsychological Outcomes in Adult Patients and Survivors of COVID-19 |
| title_short | Neuropsychological Outcomes in Adult Patients and Survivors of COVID-19 |
| title_sort | neuropsychological outcomes in adult patients and survivors of covid 19 |
| topic | COVID-19 coronavirus neuropsychology cognition |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/4/465 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT pamelaemay neuropsychologicaloutcomesinadultpatientsandsurvivorsofcovid19 |