The One-Two Punch of Delirium and Dementia During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond

Associations between COVID-19 and 30-day thromboembolic events and mortality in people with dementia receiving antipsychotic medications

“…COVID-19 restrictions for older people living in the community and care homes have varied between countries and settings, but have included recommendations of shielding, cessation or reduction in family visits, changes in routine and activities, changes in availability of non-pharmacological approaches/therapies, and some people living in care homes have been asked to isolate in their bedrooms. Furthermore, a possible reason for prescribing antipsychotics during the COVID-19 pandemic is that patients may be at higher risk of developing delirium potentially due to infection with COVID-19 or environmental factors [21] . However, this could not be explored in the current study.…”

Dynamic Changes in Central and Peripheral Neuro-Injury vs. Neuroprotective Serum Markers in COVID-19 Are Modulated by Different Types of Anti-Viral Treatments but Do Not Affect the Incidence of Late and Early Strokes

“…Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been linked to abnormalities in the central nervous system such as the loss of smell and taste, cognitive decline, delirium, cerebrovascular accidents, neuronal autoimmune illnesses, and psychiatric disorders [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. However, the heterogeneity of symptoms remains puzzling [ 1 , 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. The development of these abnormalities often occurs within two days from the onset of symptoms [ 1 , 5 , 7 , 11 , 12 ].…”

“…Coronaviruses contribute to the emergence of neuropathologies via several mechanisms: direct neurotoxic effects to homogenous and retrosynaptic transport, localized neuroinflammation, blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction, and secondary nervous tissue damage in response to generalized inflammation and hypoxia [ 7 , 8 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 co-localizes with the phosphorylated tau (τ) protein, triggering neuronal death or interfering with the distribution of τ [ 21 ].…”

Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental Health of Geriatric Residents in Long-Term Care Facilities

“…Delirium is a common complication of COVID-19 and is often the presenting problem among COVID-19 patients seen in an emergency department (ED) (Cipriani et al, 2020; Kennedy et al, 2014; LaHue et al, 2020). Direct neurotoxic effects, hypoxia, and metabolic imbalances caused by COVID-19 increase the risk of delirium (LaHue et al, 2020), with older persons especially vulnerable to developing this syndrome (Cipriani et al, 2020; Kennedy et al, 2014; LaHue et al, 2020). Among older patients presenting to the ED with COVID-19, residence at a nursing home or assisted living was associated with a nearly 50% increased risk of delirium (Kennedy et al, 2014).…”