Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders in the COVID-19 Era

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Neuropsychology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 9932

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Neurology, University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 10, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Interests: movement disorders; neurology; Parkinsonism and related disorders
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Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, SP 8 Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
Interests: electron microscopy; scanning electron microscopy; neuroanatomy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The extent of neurological and psychiatric disorders in the COVID-19 era is not yet fully established. Neurological and psychiatric symptoms are common during COVID-19, and they may persist after recovery from the infection. Moreover, COVID-19 has deeply impacted the management of the other neurological and psychiatric disorders.

The aim of this Special Issue is to better characterize the neurological and psychiatric disorders in the COVID-19 era, covering aspects related to the infection either during the acute phase or after recovery from COVID-19. For this purpose, we invite colleagues to share their recent research on this topic. Original research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited.

Dr. Tommaso Ercoli
Dr. Paolo Solla
Dr. Carla Masala
Dr. Francesco Loy
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • neurology
  • psychiatric
  • COVID-19
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • long COVID

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 165 KiB  
Editorial
Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders in the COVID-19 Era
by Tommaso Ercoli, Francesco Loy, Carla Masala and Paolo Solla
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(4), 355; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14040355 - 2 Apr 2024
Viewed by 652
Abstract
Over the 4 last years, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has determined the diffusion of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global outbreak [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders in the COVID-19 Era)

Research

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7 pages, 220 KiB  
Communication
COVID-19 Survivors Are Still in Need of Neuropsychiatric Support Two Years after Infection
by Marco Colizzi, Maddalena Peghin, Maria De Martino, Giulia Bontempo, Stefania Chiappinotto, Federico Fonda, Miriam Isola, Carlo Tascini, Matteo Balestrieri and Alvisa Palese
Brain Sci. 2023, 13(7), 1034; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13071034 - 6 Jul 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1090
Abstract
COVID-19 survivors have been reported to be at risk of long-term neuropsychiatric sequalae; however, prospective evidence in this regard is lacking. We prospectively assessed the occurrence of mental-health-domain-related symptoms over a 24-month period following COVID-19 onset in a cohort of 230 patients. Of [...] Read more.
COVID-19 survivors have been reported to be at risk of long-term neuropsychiatric sequalae; however, prospective evidence in this regard is lacking. We prospectively assessed the occurrence of mental-health-domain-related symptoms over a 24-month period following COVID-19 onset in a cohort of 230 patients. Of them, 36.1% were still presenting with at least one symptom 24 months later. Across the study period, a significant reduction in overall symptoms from the onset was observed (p < 0.001); however, symptom prevalence was unchanged between the 12- and 24-month follow-ups across most symptomatic domains. At the 24-month follow-up, mental-health-domain-related symptoms only were higher than at the onset and were the most frequently reported symptoms. Dyspnea at the onset predicted both symptoms of psychiatric disorders (OR = 3.26, 95% CI = 1.22–8.70, and p = 0.019) and a lack of concentration and focus (OR = 3.17, 95% CI = 1.40–7.16, and p = 0.005) 24 months post-infection, with the number of comorbidities at the onset also predicting the occurrence of a lack of concentration and focus (OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.12–2.08, and p = 0.008). The findings of this study may have important public health implications, as they underlie the fact that COVID-19 survivors are still in need of neuropsychiatric support two years after infection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders in the COVID-19 Era)
10 pages, 252 KiB  
Article
Neurological Consequences of Pulmonary Emboli in COVID-19 Patients: A Study of Incidence and Outcomes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
by Ebtisam Bakhsh, Mostafa Shaban, Mohammad Abdullah Alzoum, Areej M. AlNassir, Aliah A. Bin Hamad, Munira S. Alqahtani, Leenah Ayman F. AlAyoubi, Raghad Mohammed Alamri and Nasser F. Alamri
Brain Sci. 2023, 13(2), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13020343 - 17 Feb 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2257
Abstract
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a significant consequence that is becoming more common in COVID-19 patients. The current study sought to determine the prevalence and risk factors for PE in a study population of COVID-19 patients, as well as the relationship between PE and [...] Read more.
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a significant consequence that is becoming more common in COVID-19 patients. The current study sought to determine the prevalence and risk factors for PE in a study population of COVID-19 patients, as well as the relationship between PE and neurological sequelae. The research also sought to analyze the consistency of neurological examination and imaging techniques in detecting neurological problems. The research comprised a total of 63 individuals with COVID-19. The incidence of PE in the study group was 9.5% for smokers, 23.8% for obese patients, 33.3% for hypertensive patients, and 19% for diabetic patients, according to the findings. After adjusting for possible confounders such as age, gender, BMI, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes, a logistic regression analysis indicated that the probabilities of having neurological complications were 3.5 times greater in individuals who had PE. In conclusion, the present study highlights the high incidence of PE among patients with COVID-19 and the association between PE and neurological complications. The study also emphasizes the importance of a thorough neurological examination and imaging studies in the detection of neurological complications in patients with PE. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders in the COVID-19 Era)

Review

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24 pages, 4484 KiB  
Review
The Latest Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of COVID-19 on Non-Lung Organs
by Hamid Askari, Fatemeh Rabiei, Fatemeh Lohrasbi, Sara Ghadir and Maryam Ghasemi-Kasman
Brain Sci. 2023, 13(3), 415; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13030415 - 27 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1700
Abstract
Understanding the transmission pathways of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) will aid in developing effective therapies directed at the virus’s life cycle or its side effects. While severe respiratory distress is the most common symptom of a coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection, [...] Read more.
Understanding the transmission pathways of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) will aid in developing effective therapies directed at the virus’s life cycle or its side effects. While severe respiratory distress is the most common symptom of a coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection, the virus is also known to cause damage to almost every major organ and system in the body. However, it is not obvious whether pathological changes in extra-respiratory organs are caused by direct infection, indirect, or combination of these effects. In this narrative review, we first elaborate on the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2, followed by the mechanisms of this virus on various organs such as brain, eye, and olfactory nerve and different systems such as the endocrine and gastrointestinal systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders in the COVID-19 Era)
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Other

9 pages, 238 KiB  
Brief Report
Psychological Distress in Patients Who Needed Invasive versus Non-Invasive Ventilation Following SARS-CoV-2 Viral Infection
by Laura Abbruzzese, Benedetta Basagni, Alessio Damora, Giulia Salti, Giulia Martinelli, Carmen Gambarelli, Alessandra Maietti, Cristiano Scarselli, Leonardo Carlucci, Pierluigi Zoccolotti and Mauro Mancuso
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(3), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14030189 - 20 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 811
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of those who survived the illness but underwent long treatment and hospitalization. Much research has highlighted signs of emotional distress in those who experienced intensive care, and the procedures implemented to fight the infection. The [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of those who survived the illness but underwent long treatment and hospitalization. Much research has highlighted signs of emotional distress in those who experienced intensive care, and the procedures implemented to fight the infection. The present study investigated the effects of the illness experience in 40 subjects admitted to a rehabilitation unit after discharge from intensive care by focusing on the possibility of differences in emotional well-being depending on the type of ventilation. The results of the administration of psychological scales for anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder showed that many subjects experienced some form of emotional distress. There were no differences between patients who underwent invasive ventilation and those who did not. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders in the COVID-19 Era)
9 pages, 649 KiB  
Systematic Review
Neurological Consequences of COVID-19: A Systematic Review of the Pandemic’s Impact on Neurology Training
by Tommaso Ercoli, Francesco Barbato, Alessandro Bombaci, Luca Cuffaro, Francesco Di Lorenzo, Francesco Iodice, Michele Romoli, Paolo Solla and Giovanni Defazio
Brain Sci. 2023, 13(8), 1188; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13081188 - 10 Aug 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1006
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on neurology training programs, leading to disruptions and changes that may have long-term implications for neurological education. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on neurological training programs, collecting available data [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on neurology training programs, leading to disruptions and changes that may have long-term implications for neurological education. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on neurological training programs, collecting available data relating to residents’ experience worldwide. We performed a systematic search of the literature published on PubMed from January 2020 to March 2023, including studies referring to quantitative analysis of residents’/trainees’ perspectives. Specifically, we included studies that examined how the pandemic has affected clinical and research activities, the use of telemedicine, the delivery of education and the psychological status of residents. Of the 95460 studies identified through database searching, 12 studies met the full criteria and underwent data extraction. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on neurology training programs, highlighting the need for resilience and flexibility in medical education. Future research should focus on the long-term outcomes of these adaptations in the quality of neurology education and patient care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders in the COVID-19 Era)
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19 pages, 573 KiB  
Systematic Review
Relationship between COVID-19 Pandemic Confinement and Worsening or Onset of Depressive Disorders
by Daniela Camargo, Elisabet Navarro-Tapia, Jordi Pérez-Tur and Fernando Cardona
Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 899; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060899 - 2 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1467
Abstract
Several studies indicate that the pandemic and associated confinement measures may have had an impact on mental health, producing the onset or persistence of symptoms such as stress, anxiety, depression, and fear. This systematic review aims to identify the factors influencing the onset [...] Read more.
Several studies indicate that the pandemic and associated confinement measures may have had an impact on mental health, producing the onset or persistence of symptoms such as stress, anxiety, depression, and fear. This systematic review aims to identify the factors influencing the onset or worsening of depressive symptoms during COVID-19-related confinement. Our systematic search produced 451 articles from selected databases, 398 of which were excluded based on established criteria, while 53 were selected for review. Most studies have reported an increase in the prevalence of depressive symptoms in the general population during the first weeks of confinement. The predominant risk factors associated with the appearance of depressive symptoms included female sex, low educational level, young age, economic difficulties, comorbidities, and a history of previous depressive episodes. People with a pre-existing diagnosis of depressive disorder generally experienced a worsening of their symptoms during confinement in most of the reviewed studies. Moreover, symptomatology persisted at higher levels post-confinement, without significant improvement despite relief in confinement measures. Therefore, ongoing evaluations of post-pandemic depressive symptoms are necessary to advance the knowledge of the relationship between pandemics and depression, allowing accurate conclusions and associations to be made. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders in the COVID-19 Era)
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