Neurologic complications common even in moderate COVID-19 cases

Press Release:

MINNEAPOLISCOVID-19 can lead to a broad range of neurologic complications including stroke, seizures, movement disorders, inflammatory diseases and more, even in moderate cases, according to a new study published in the December 9, 2020, online issue of Neurology® Clinical Practice, an official journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

“We looked at people with neurologic symptoms and COVID at a racially and socioeconomically diverse hospital and found a wide range of neurologic complications–spanning inflammatory complications, stroke and other vascular conditions, metabolic problems, exacerbation of underlying neurologic conditions and more,” said study author Pria Anand, M.D. of Boston University School of Medicine in Massachusetts and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. “Yet the majority of these people did not require critical care, suggesting that neurologic complications may be common in people with moderate COVID-19 as well as those with severe disease.”

The study involved 74 people who between April 15 and July 1, 2020, tested positive for COVID-19 and were evaluated for various neurologic conditions at a large hospital serving underserved, low-income and elderly people in Boston, Mass. The average age was 64. A total of 47 people had prior history of neurologic disease.

At the time of hospitalization, 18 people had strokes, 15 had seizures and 26 people had a type of brain dysfunction that causes confusion and delirium. Seven people had movement disorders, including five people with myoclonus, which involves sudden, brief twitching of the muscles. Three people had traumatic brain injuries due to falls in their homes after developing COVID-19. One person had signs of developing autoimmune encephalitis, a rare, complex disease where the body’s immune system attacks itself, yet these symptoms improved after the person received corticosteroids.

Ten people died in the hospital. The people who survived had moderately severe disability, on average, at the time they left the hospital, compared to mild disability before their hospitalization. A total of 27 people were able to return home with or without home health services, 20 went to skilled nursing facilities, including 11 who had previously been living at home, and nine went to acute rehabilitation centers, including eight who had been living at home. Three people went to long-term acute care hospitals and five people were entered into hospice, either at home or as an inpatient.

“More research is needed to fully understand the breadth of neurologic complications associated with COVID-19 infection,” Anand said. “In addition, while our study included a high proportion of persons from underserved racial and ethnic groups and we know that COVID-19 disproportionately affects these populations, our study did not include enough people overall and enough people affected by each neurologic condition to assess any relationships between factors such as race and ethnicity, health care access and housing and people’s neurologic outcomes. We plan to conduct additional studies to help determine what factors may either predispose people to neurologic complications or protect them from these complications, with the goal of using the results to help identify people at highest risk and look for prevention methods.”

A limitation of the study was that some people with neurologic complications were not evaluated by or admitted to neurology or neurocritical care services, so they were not included in the analysis. These could have included people with mild neurologic symptoms as well as critically ill people who received a limited neurologic exam.

###

The study was supported by the Grinspoon Junior Faculty Research Grant.

Learn more about COVID-19 at BrainandLife.org, home of the American Academy of Neurology’s free patient and caregiver magazine focused on the intersection of neurologic disease and brain health. Follow Brain & Life® on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

When posting to social media channels about this research, we encourage you to use the hashtags #Neurology and #AANscience.

The American Academy of Neurology is the world’s largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, with over 36,000 members. The AAN is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, concussion, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.

For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit AAN.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Advertisement:

SaleBestseller No. 1
iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test, 1 Pack, 5 Tests Total, FDA EUA Authorized OTC at-Home Self Test, Results in 15 Minutes with Non-invasive Nasal Swab, Easy to Use & No Discomfort
  • Expiration Date Extension: On Jan 11, 2023, the FDA granted another three-month shelf-life extension for the iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test, which extended the shelf-life of all iHealth tests from 6 months to 15 months. Please refer to the FDA website for the detailed list of extended expiration dates by lot numbers: https://www.fda.gov/media/164551/download
  • FDA Authorized 15-Minute Self-Test: The test is a 15-minute self-test to detect whether or not an individual has COVID-19. The test can be completed in the comfort of your own home without the need to ship your sample to a lab.
  • Easy to Use with Zero Discomfort: Test can be done by inserting 1/2 to 3/4 inch of a simple non-invasive nasal swab. Step-by-step instructional videos are available in our app (Installation of app is optional).
  • For Ages 2 and Above : The self-administered test is recommended for individuals aged 15 years and older. Adult-collection is required for testing children 2-14 years old.
  • Manage Group Testing Via Mobile App: The iHealth Test app allows the administrator of a small group to monitor and track the group members’ test results as needed at school, work or an event.
SaleBestseller No. 2
iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test, 1 Pack, 2 Tests Total, FDA EUA Authorized OTC at-Home Self Test, Results in 15 Minutes with Non-invasive Nasal Swab, Easy to Use & No Discomfort
  • Expiration Date Extension: On Jan 11, 2023, the FDA granted another three-month shelf-life extension for the iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test, which extended the shelf-life of all iHealth tests from 6 months to 15 months. Please refer to the FDA website for the detailed list of extended expiration dates by lot numbers: https://www.fda.gov/media/164551/download
  • FDA Authorized 15-Minute Self-Test: The test is a 15-minute self-test to detect whether or not an individual has COVID-19. The test can be completed in the comfort of your own home without the need to ship your sample to a lab.
  • Easy to Use with Zero Discomfort: The test can be done by inserting 1/2 to 3/4 inch of a simple non-invasive nasal swab. Step-by-step instructional videos are available in our app (Installation of the app is optional).
  • For Ages 2 and Above: The self-administered test is recommended for individuals aged 15 years and older. Adult-collection is required for testing children 2-14 years old.
  • Manage Group Testing Via Mobile App: The iHealth Test app allows the administrator of a small group to monitor and track the group members’ test results as needed at school, work, or an event.
SaleBestseller No. 3
iHealth COVID-19, Flu A&B 3-in-1 Antigen Rapid Test, Results in 15 Minutes, FDA Authorized OTC Flu & COVID Home Test, with Non-invasive Nasal Swab, Easy to Use & No Discomfort (1 Pack, 4 Tests Total)
  • FDA Authorized 15-Minute Flu A&B, COVID Test Kit: Over-the-counter flu and COVID test for home use with rapid results in just 15 minutes.
  • Made for Ages 2 and Above; Parents Can Stop Guessing: Quickly identify whether you or your kids are dealing with coronavirus or influenza A & B. Adult-collection is required for those aged 2-13 years, and self-collection by individuals aged 14 years and older.
  • Same Ease-of-Use; Get 3 Results in 1 Test: Utilizing the familiar 4 user-friendly steps of at-home COVID tests, you can now get all 3 results for COVID-19 and Flu A & B at once with 5 drops of sample.
  • Fast and Convenient COVID and Flu Tests for Home: Use this COVID and influenza rapid test kit in the comfort of your home. Bypass the need for a doctor's visit and protect your loved ones from potential exposure to contagious illnesses at school, work, or public gatherings.
  • Compact Design for On-the-Go Testing: Stay safe wherever you go with our COVID-19, Flu A & B 3-in-1 self-test. Its compact design ensures easy storage and convenient portability for your travel bag.
SaleBestseller No. 4
BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test, 1 Pack, 4 Tests Total, COVID Test With 15-Minute Results Without Sending to a Lab, Easy to Use at Home
  • TRUSTED TECHNOLOGY: BinaxNOW Self Test uses the same technolgy used by doctors to test for COVID-19. Detects multiple COVID-19 variants, including Delta and Omicron*
  • FAST RESULTS: FDA Authorized 15-Minute Self Test: Convenient COVID-19 at-home test provides fast, reliable results in 15 minutes, results anytime, anywhere; no need for a prescription or send to a lab.
  • RELIABLE and EASY-TO-USE: Requires just a shallow nasal swab that you can do yourself; includes easy-to-follow instructions.
  • FOR AGES 2 and ABOVE: COVID-19 test suitable for kids, when administered by an adult, and for all people 15 and older to self-administer.
  • DETECTS ACTIVE COVID-19 INFECTION: Includes 4 rapid tests that are indicated for serial testing. Serial (or repeat) testing should be performed in individuals with negative results at least twice over three days (with at least 48 hours between tests) for symptomatic individuals and three times over five days (with at least 48 hours between tests) for asymptomatic individuals.
Bestseller No. 5
INDICAID COVID-19 Rapid Test, Covid Home Test FDA Approved, EUA Authorized, HSA/FSA Eligible, Easier and Faster (2 Pack)
  • FDA EUA AUTHORIZED COVID-19 RAPID ANTIGEN AT-HOME TEST is intended for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 test at home, the virus causing COVID-19 and can also detect Delta & Omicron. Over 45 Million INDICAID tests have been sold worldwide in 30+ countries. Expiration Date Extension: On Jan 11, 2023, the FDA granted another three-month shelf-life extension for the Indicad COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test, which extended the shelf-life of all Indicad tests from 6 months to 15 months. Please refer to the FDA website
  • EASY-TO-USE, QUICK & PAIN-FREE : INDICAID Covid Home Test No special training or equipment required. 4 easy steps to provide accurate result in 20 mins. Gently swab lower nasal cavity, insert swab in solution and stir, and pour 3 drops of solution onto testing device. Read clear and accurate results after 20 minutes
  • ACCURATELY TESTS ASYMPTOMATIC OR SYMPTOMATIC OF AGED 2 OR ABOVE: Use by an individual 14+ years old, children aged 2-13 years should be tested by an adult. If you are asymptomatic and your test result is ‘negative’, suggest performing a 2nd test between 24 to 48 hours (after the initial test)
  • PERFECT FOR TRAVEL, SCHOOL, WORK & GATHERINGS: Self-test anytime and anywhere to detect the presence of the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus. Ideal for quick results when possible exposure has happened for peace of mind. Also, you can test at home or ‘on the go’ and obtain results in about 20 minutes
  • WHAT'S IN THE KIT: The INDICAID OTC COVID-19 Rapid Antigen At-Home Test (2-Tests) includes: 2 individually wrapped sterile nasal swabs, 2 single-use buffer solution vials, 2 individually packaged single-use test devices (Cartridges), 1 quick reference guide, 1 user instructions
SaleBestseller No. 6
Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Home Test kit, 1 Pack, 5 Tests Total. FDA EUA Authorized OTC at-Home Self-Test, Non-invasive Nasal Swab, Easy to Use and No Discomfort, Results in 15 Minutes
  • Expiration Date Extension: On March 15, 2023, the FDA granted the Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Home Test another 3-month shelf-life extension, which extended the shelf-life of the product from 12 months to 24 months. Refer to the FDA website for the extended expiration dates.
  • FDA EUA Authorized COVID-19 Home Test – This test is authorized for home use without the need for a prescription or sending to a lab.
  • Detects Active COVID-19 Infection - This test detects multiple COVID-19 variants including the Omicron and Delta variants.
  • Safe to Test Adults and Children – The test is recommended for self-collection by individuals aged 14 years and older and with adult-collection by individuals aged 2 years or older.
  • Easy to Use – All the components of the nasal swab test are included inside the box with step-by-step Instructions for Use in English and Spanish. No Symptoms Needed – This test is intended to test individuals with or without COVID-19 symptoms. Quick Results – This test is quick and simple. The result is read in 15 minutes
SaleBestseller No. 7
iHealth COVID-19, Flu A&B 3-in-1 Antigen Rapid Test, Results in 15 Minutes, FDA Authorized OTC Flu & COVID Home Test, with Non-invasive Nasal Swab, Easy to Use & No Discomfort (1 Pack, 2 Tests Total)
  • FDA Authorized 15-Minute Flu A&B, COVID Test Kit: Over-the-counter flu and COVID test for home use with rapid results in just 15 minutes.
  • Made for Ages 2 and Above; Parents Can Stop Guessing: Quickly identify whether you or your kids are dealing with coronavirus or influenza A & B. Adult-collection is required for those aged 2-13 years, and self-collection by individuals aged 14 years and older.
  • Same Ease-of-Use; Get 3 Results in 1 Test: Utilizing the familiar 4 user-friendly steps of at-home COVID tests, you can now get all 3 results for COVID-19 and Flu A & B at once with 5 drops of sample.
  • Fast and Convenient COVID and Flu Tests for Home: Use this COVID and influenza rapid test kit in the comfort of your home. Bypass the need for a doctor's visit and protect your loved ones from potential exposure to contagious illnesses at school, work, or public gatherings.
  • Compact Design for On-the-Go Testing: Stay safe wherever you go with our COVID-19, Flu A & B 3-in-1 self-test. Its compact design ensures easy storage and convenient portability for your travel bag.
SaleBestseller No. 8
Genabio COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test, 1 Pack 2 Tests Total, FDA EUA Authorized, 15 Minute Results, OTC at Home Self Test,Non-Invasive Short Nasal Swab, Easy to Use, (2 Pack)
  • Long Shelf Life : 18-months from the Manufacture date. Please note the expirartion of the tests may vary in the pack size and order.
  • Non-Invasive Short Nasal Swab: Ensures a gentle, comfortable experience, making it easy to administer the test at home with no discomfort or complications.
  • Eligible for HSA/FSA reimbursement: Allowing you to save money and reduce costs, making it affordable for individuals and families alike.
  • Trusted by healthcare professionals: Authorized by the FDA for emergency use, this self-test kit is widely used across the U.S. for reliable testing.
  • Enjoy the convenience of at-home testing, avoiding appointments and long lines, and get quick, hassle-free results without leaving the comfort of your home with the need to send to a lab.
SaleBestseller No. 9
CorDx TyFast 10 Mins Flu A/B & Covid-19 Multiplex Rapid Test, Results in 10 Minutes—Precision Skip The 15 Wait, FDA Authorized, at Home 3-in-1 Combo Kit, 5 Tests, Use-Friendly & No Discomfort
  • Flu-A, Flu-B, & Covid-19 test kit: Designed by Aiiso in San Diego! Focused on eco-friendliness, compact efficiency, usability, broad applicability (including for children & the elderly), and comprehensive testing for three major respiratory illnesses.
  • Only 5 turns per nostril —why bother with 10? Get quick and reliable results with less effort, making testing easier for the whole family, Our covid & flu test kit for home works for individuals ages 2+.
  • 1 buffer tube squeeze —why require 5x? Insert swab into buffer, stir 10 times, squeeze once, and discard! One squeeze spares your fingers from strain.
  • 3 drops are sufficient —no need for 5!Get more accurate detection with less drops. Test for Flu A, Flu B & COVID-19 all at once, bypassing doctors visits and protecting loved ones from contagious illnesses at school, work, or public gatherings.
  • 10 minute accuracy —why wait 15? With our rapid testing kit, get peace of mind in 10 minutes and precise results without the extra wait. Proven higher PPA than major competitors, based on FDA-IFUs.
Bestseller No. 10
LUCIRA® by Pfizer COVID-19 & Flu Home Test, First and Only at-Home Molecular Test for COVID-19 and Flu A/B, Single-Use, Results in 30 Minutes, Emergency Use Authorized (EUA)
  • THE ONLY 2-IN-1 AT-HOME, SINGLE-USE MOLECULAR TEST FOR COVID-19 & FLU: Brings the power of lab testing technology to your home. Packaging may vary
  • FAST, CONVENIENT AT-HOME TESTING: Quickly test for COVID-19 and Flu A/B in the comfort of your home–and get results in 30 minutes
  • EASY 3–STEP TEST FOR AGES 2+: Shallow, anterior nasal swab collection for individuals 14 years or older if self-collected or individuals 2 to 13 years if collected by an adult
  • DEDICATED PFIZER CUSTOMER SUPPORT: For any product questions or issues you may have, including invalid results, please contact our Customer Support team. You can find their number on the back of the box, on the package insert
  • HSA/FSA ELIGIBLE: Test is HSA/FSA eligible and may be reimbursable by insurance. Contact your health insurance company to learn more

I get commissions for purchases made through links on this website. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.