How COVID-19 Affects the Brain

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COVID-19 has resulted in more than 120 million cases and 2.6 million deaths to date. Respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms are accompanied by short- and long-term neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPs) and long-term brain sequelae.

Some patients present with anosmia, cognitive and attention deficits (ie, brain fog), new-onset anxiety, depression, psychosis, seizures, and even suicidal behavior. These present before, during, and after respiratory symptoms and are unrelated to respiratory insufficiency, suggesting independent brain damage. Follow-ups conducted in Germany and the United Kingdom found post–COVID-19 NPs in 20% to 70% of patients, even in young adults, and lasting months after respiratory symptoms resolved, suggesting brain involvement persists.

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Boldrini-2021-Brain-Effects.pdf

Author(s)

  • Maura Boldrini, MD, PhD, Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York
  • Peter D. Canoll, MD, PhD, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York
  • Robyn S. Klein, MD, PhD, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri; Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri; Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri

Collaborator(s)

  • Helen Blair Simpson, MD, PhD, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University

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