Neuropsychiatric Manifestations in Relation to SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Juan Enrique Bender del Busto^1*, Marcel Mendieta Pedroso, D.² & Roberto León Castellón³

¹Philosopher Doctor, 2^nd Degree Specialist in Neurology, Full Professor and Researcher, International Center for Neurological Restoration, Havana, Cuba
²2^nd Degree Specialist in Integral General Medicine and Internal Medicine, Master in Medical Emergencies in Primary Health Care, Leopoldito Martínez Hospital, San José de las Lajas, Cuba
³Philosopher Doctor, 2^nd Degree Specialist in Neurology, General Calixto García University Hospital, Havana, Cuba

Dr. Juan Enrique Bender del Busto, Philosopher Doctor, 2^nd Degree Specialist in Neurology, Full Professor and Researcher, International Center for Neurological Restoration, Havana, Cuba.

Keywords: Coronavirus; Neuropsychiatric Manifestations; SARS.CoV-2; COVID-19

Abstract

Since Hippocrates, the role of the brain in mental illness has been accepted and Neuropsychiatry has been introduced as the integrating specialty of psychiatry, neurology, neuropsychology, and neuroscience in general. In light of the patients described with the Acute respiratory syndrome in Wuhan, China, which has spread and considered a pandemic, an analytical summary of the scientific evidence available regarding the involvement of the nervous system by the coronavirus 2019 and its impact in the genesis of neuropsychiatric disorders was made. To elaborate it, the Google Academic search engine and the descriptors COVID-19, SARS.CoV-2 and neuropsychiatric manifestations were used. The Medline, Scielo, Scopus and Medscape databases were used. The general clinical manifestations of COVID-19, acute neuropsychiatric symptoms including encephalopathies, epileptic seizures, cerebrovascular disease, myelitis, muscular and peripheral nervous system, taste and smell disorders, and Guillain’s syndrome are described. In addition, subacute or chronic neuropsychiatric sequelae in relation to SARS-CoV-2 infection are highlighted, which include depression, anxiety and stress related to the pandemic, indicating the care to be taken with health personnel, patients with previous mental illness and chronic neurological diseases, in which symptoms can worsen and even lead to suicide.

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