COVID-19 brain complications found across the globe

Date:
July 8, 2020
Source:
University of Liverpool
Summary:
Cases of brain complications linked to COVID-19 are occurring across
the globe, a new review has shown. The research found that strokes,
delirium and other neurological complications are reported from
most countries where there have been large outbreaks of the disease.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Cases of brain complications linked to COVID-19 are occurring across
the globe, a new review by University of Liverpool researchers has shown.


========================================================================== Published in The Lancet Neurology, the study found that strokes, delirium
and other neurological complications are reported from most countries
where there have been large outbreaks of the disease.

COVID-19 has been associated mostly with problems like difficulty
breathing, fever and cough. However, as the pandemic has continued,
it has become increasingly clear that other problems can occur in
patients. These include confusion, stroke, inflammation of the brain,
spinal cord, and other kinds of nerve disease.

A recent Liverpool-led study of COVID-19 patients hospitalised in the
UK found a range of neurological and psychiatric complications that may
be linked to the disease.

To get a sense of the wider picture, the researchers brought together and analysed findings from COVID-19 studies across the globe that reported
on neurological complications. The review, which included studies from
China, Italy and the USA among others, found almost 1000 patients with COVID-19- associated brain, spinal cord and nerve disease.

Research Fellow, Dr Suzannah Lant, who was working on the project,
said: "Whilst these complications are relatively uncommon, the huge
numbers of COVID- 19 cases globally mean the overall number of patients
with neurological problems is likely to be quite large." One of the complications found to be linked to COVID-19 is encephalitis, which is inflammation and swelling of the brain.

Dr Ava Easton, CEO of the Encephalitis Society, and co-author on
the paper said: "It is really important that doctors around the
world recognise that COVID-19 can cause encephalitis and other brain
problems, which often have potentially devastating, life-changing
consequences for patients." Professor Tom Solomon, senior author
on the paper and Director of the Global COVID-Neuro Network, added:
"Although such patients are being seen everywhere the virus occurs,
many of the reports are lacking in detail. We are currently pooling data
from individual patients all around the world, so that we can get a more complete picture. Doctors who would like to contribute patients to this analysis can contact us via the Global COVID-Neuro Network website."
For more information about the Global COVID-Neuro Network please visit
https:// braininfectionsglobal.tghn.org/covid-neuro-network/

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Liverpool. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Mark A Ellul, Laura Benjamin, Bhagteshwar Singh, Suzannah Lant,
Benedict
Daniel Michael, Ava Easton, Rachel Kneen, Sylviane Defres, Jim
Sejvar, Tom Solomon. Neurological associations of COVID-19. The
Lancet Neurology, 2020; DOI: 10.1016/S1474-4422(20)30221-0 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200708150550.htm

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