Amnesia of Uncertain Etiology in an Adolescent during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Report.

Sudden retrograde memory loss, in the absence of neurological causes, is usually referred to as a dissociative symptom. Dissociative amnesia, defined in the DSM-V as an inability to remember important autobiographical experiences, usually of a traumatic or stressful nature, is however a controversial phenomenon. Few cases with this pattern are described in the scientific literature and still fewer regarding adolescents. The objective of this study was to describe the case of an unexplained sudden memory loss that only partially fits with the criteria for dissociative amnesia, in a juvenile patient aged 16 years, which occurred during the COVID-19 lockdown. After the exclusion of any organic disturbances, 10 days after the clinical onset, a series of psychometric (neuropsychological and psychodiagnostics) tests were administered to the patient. Recent distress associated with COVID-19 lockdown was reported, while no previous significant distress or psychiatric history emerged during the clinical interview, conducted with the patient and parents. Severe disturbances in remote memory tests were registered, while no impairments in cognitive or anterograde amnestic functions were found or personality disorders. The disturbance was diagnosed as "amnesia of uncertain etiology."

Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on intensive rehabilitation after severe acquired brain injuries.

PURPOSE: COVID-19 pandemic has affected most components of health systems including rehabilitation. The study aims to compare demographic and clinical data of patients admitted to an intensive rehabilitation unit (IRU) after severe acquired brain injuries (sABIs), before and during the pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this observational retrospective study, all patients admitted to the IRU between 2017 and 2020 were included. Demographics were collected, as well as data from the clinical and functional assessment at admission and discharge from the IRU. Patients were grouped in years starting from March 2017, and the 2020/21 cohort was compared to those admitted between March 2017/18, 2018/19, and 2019/20. Lastly, the pooled cohort March 2017 to March 2020 was compared with the COVID-19 year alone. RESULTS: This study included 251 patients (F: 96 (38%): median age 68 years [IQR = 19.25], median time post-onset at admission: 42 days, [IQR = 23]). In comparison with the pre-pandemic years, a significant increase of hemorrhagic strokes (p < 0.001) and a decrease of traumatic brain injuries (p = 0.048), a reduction of the number of patients with a prolonged disorder of consciousness admitted to the IRU (p < 0.001) and a lower length of stay (p < 0.001) were observed in 2020/21. CONCLUSIONS: These differences in the case mix of sABI patients admitted to IRU may be considered another side-effect of the pandemic. Facing this health emergency, rehabilitation specialists need to adapt readily to the changing clinical and functional needs of patients' addressing the IRUs.