Long COVID and neuropsychiatric manifestations (Review)

Abstract

There is accumulating evidence in the literature indicating that a number of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may experience a range of neuropsychiatric symptoms, persisting or even presenting following the resolution of acute COVID-19. Among the neuropsychiatric manifestations more frequently associated with ‘long COVID’ are depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disturbances, fatigue and cognitive deficits, that can potentially be debilitating and negatively affect patients' wellbeing, albeit in the majority of cases symptoms tend to improve over time. Despite variations in results obtained from studies using different methodological approaches to define ‘long COVID’ syndrome, the most widely accepted factors associated with a higher risk of developing neuropsychiatric manifestations include the severity of foregoing COVID-19, the female sex, the presence of comorbidities, a history of mental health disease and an elevation in the levels of inflammatory markers, albeit further research is required to establish causal associations. To date, the pathophysiological mechanisms implicated in neuropsychiatric manifestations of ‘long COVID’ remain only partially elucidated, while the role of the indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as social isolation and uncertainty concerning social, financial and health recovery post-COVID, have also been highlighted. Given the alarming effects of ‘long-COVID’, interdisciplinary cooperation for the early identification of patients who are at a high risk of persistent neuropsychiatric presentations, beyond COVID-19 recovery, is crucial to ensure that appropriate integrated physical and mental health support is provided, with the aim of mitigating the risks of long-term disability at a societal and individual level.

Neurological Complications of COVID-19: A Review of the Literature

“…Some researchers believe Long COVID is like functional neurological illnesses including chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and functional neurological disorder (FND) [ 66 ]. Neuropsychiatric symptoms patients with Long COVID might experience include depression, anxiety, and cognitive deficits [ 67 ]. Data collected from the U.K’s COVID-19 infection survey [ 68 ] estimates that around 10% of people who test positive for the virus experience Long COVID, that is, symptoms that last for greater than three months.…”

New‑onset neuropsychiatric sequelae and ‘long‑COVID’ syndrome (Review)

“…may be associated with the presence of neuropsychiatric manifestations during the acute phase of COVID-19, and a number of individuals may experience a range of new, recurring or ongoing symptoms, including neuropsychiatric manifestations, that persist beyond the acute illness and comprise a condition that is colloquially referred to as 'long-COVID' syndrome (6)(7)(8)(9)(10). In particular, neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with 'long-COVID' may include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, sleep disturbances, fatigue, cognitive impairment/deficits and psychotic features, which can potentially become debilitating and have a disconcerting impact on the well-being of COVID-19 survivors (10,11). Previous studies have reviewed neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with 'long-COVID' syndrome and their correlates, highlighting the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of individuals, especially among vulnerable groups (i.e.…”

“…Previous studies have reviewed neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with 'long-COVID' syndrome and their correlates, highlighting the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of individuals, especially among vulnerable groups (i.e. patients with mental health history) (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15).…”

U.S. COVID-19 Policy: Politics Trump Science

“…[134][135][136] Also inconsistent with the herd immunity hypothesis is the growing list of potential long-term consequences of COVID-19 infection. These include but are not limited to: impairment of organ function including cardiac, 137 kidney, 138 skin, 139 eyes, 140 the peripheral nervous system, 141 and the central nervous system 142 ; increased risk for Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's disease 143 ; hypertension 144 ; blood disorders 145 ; cognitive impairment 146 and neuropsychiatric deficits 147 ; anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. 148 The exacerbation of comorbidities is also an important part of understanding COVID-19's potential for lifealtering or life-ending impact.…”