The Novel Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19) and Nervous System Involvement: Mechanisms of Neurological Disorders, Clinical Manifestations, and the Organization of Neurological Care.

The new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and the disease it causes COVID-19 involves not only respiratory system damage, but can also lead to disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system, as well as the muscular system. This article presents published data and our own observations on the course of neurological disorders in COVID-19 patients. There is a relationship between the severity of COVID-19 and the severity and frequency of neurological manifestations. Severe neurological disorders are mostly seen in severe cases of COVID-19 and include acute cerebrovascular accidents (aCVA), acute necrotizing encephalopathy, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Factors potentially complicating the course of COVID-19 and increasing the development of neurological complications include arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic cardiac and respiratory system diseases. Questions of the possible effects of human coronaviruses on the course of chronic progressive neurological diseases are addressed using multiple sclerosis (MS) as an example. We discuss the management of patients with aCVA and MS depending on the risk of developing coronavirus infection.

[Novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and nervous system involvement: pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, organization of neurological care]. / Novaya koronavirusnaya infektsiya (COVID-19) i porazhenie nervnoi sistemy: mekhanizmy nevrologicheskikh rasstroistv, klinicheskie proyavleniya, organizatsiya nevrologicheskoi pomoshchi.

Novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, besides affecting the respiratory system, may lead to central and peripheral nervous system disorders and also cause muscular symptoms. The authors review the literature and own clinical case with respect to nervous system involvement in COVID-19 patients. There is a correlation between the severity of COVID-19 and the severity and frequency of neurologic complications. Severe neurologic symptoms are primarily observed in patients with severe COVID-19. Neurologic-associated symptoms may include stroke, acute necrotizing encephalopathy, and Guillen-Barre syndrome. Diseases that potentially aggravate COVID-19 and increase the risk of neurologic complications include arterial hypertension, diabetes, chronic diseases of the heart and respiratory system. The probable impact of human coronaviruses on chronic and progressive diseases of the nervous system with particular respect to multiple sclerosis is reviewed. A triage plan for stroke and MS patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, depending on the risk of coronavirus infection, is presented.