COVID-19 and Seizures

Abstract

The past two years were deeply marked by the emergence of a global pandemic caused by the worldwide spread of the virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The plethora of repercussions on the health of those affected is extensive, ranging from asymptomatic individuals, mild flu-like disease, and severe respiratory failure, eventually leading to death. Despite this predilection for the respiratory system, the virus is responsible for multisystemic manifestations and soon became clear that neurological involvement was a frequent issue of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Much have been pointed out about the neurotropic nature of the virus, the ways by which it invades and targets specific structures of the central nervous system, and the physiopathology behind the neurologic manifestations associated with it (namely encephalomyelitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, lacunar infarcts, and vascular dysfunction, just to list a few). This chapter aims to raise light about the association between COVID-19 and the mechanisms of acute symptomatic seizures, through neurotropism and neuroinvasion features of SARS-CoV-2, and to review the variety of clinical presentations reported so far.