Cognitive and asthenic disorders after COVID-19

V.V. Zakharov, D.O. Gromova, L.A. Edilgireeva, T.A. Sadullayeva

I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow

A new coronavirus infection commonly entails persistent neurological complications, among the most common of which are cognitive and asthenic symptoms. The article provides data on the occurrence and clinical patterns of cognitive and asthenic symptoms after COVID-19, their association with the infectious disease severity, clinical significance and impact on everyday life. The article also discusses the pathogenesis of cognitive, asthenic and other neurological COVID-19 complications, including the following: direct invasion of the cerebral substance by the SARS-CoV-2; immune and metabolic disorders; occurrence of cerebrovascular diseases as a result of COVID-19-induced endotheliitis; cerebral hypoxia; social isolation due to restrictive measures; decompensation of concomitant diseases. Adding that, there are highlighted issues of prevention and treatment of COVID-19-induced neurological complications, including cerebrovascular diseases. The effect of antiplatelet therapy (prescribed to the patients with cardiovascular diseases for the prevention of recurrent ischemic events) on the COVID-19 course and complications is analyzed. The article describes a clinical case of persistent and significant cognitive impairment in a young woman who suffered a relatively mild COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, new coronavirus infection, post-covid syndrome, endotheliitis, cognitive impairment, asthenia, cerebrovascular diseases.

For citation: Zakharov V.V., Gromova D.O., Edilgireeva L.A., Sadullayeva T.A. Cognitive and asthenic disorders after COVID-19. RMJ. 2022;4:15–19.