Neuropsychiatric Consequences of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Synthetic Review from a Global Perspective.

Some research suggests that distress, secondary to isolation and fear following COVID-19 infection, can negatively affect the long-term more than the COVID-19 infection itself. This narrative review aims to provide a global view on the neuropsychiatric consequences of COVID-19 that can be ascribed to several factors, ranging from the direct effect of infection, to the body's responses against the infection, or to the psychological sequelae of social isolation, unemployment, and fear for one's health and livelihood. Current findings show that the more severe the respiratory infection, the more likely are central nervous system (CNS) complications regarding the infection itself. The immune reactions to the infection may result in symptoms similar to chronic fatigue as well as neurocognitive deficits, which last long after the infection is gone. An increase in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma-related stress may also follow upon economic fears and isolation from friends and family. The consequences of the pandemic are not limited to adults; children learning remotely and away from classmates and routine activities may develop adjustment disorders, acute stress disorder, and a variety of manifestations of grief. A summary of case reports suggests that COVID-19-related stress, economic recession, and political unrest increase the risk of suicidal behaviors and acts of violence. However, it is unknown whether manifestations of mental disorders result from social causes or whether CNS complications may be responsible.

Informations de copyright

© Copyright 2021 authors.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Conflict of Interest: The authors have read the journal's policy and have the following potential conflicts: Seithikurippu R. Pandi-Perumal, MSc., is a stockholder and the President and Chief Executive Officer of Somnogen Canada Inc., Toronto, Canada. He declares that he has no competing interests that might be perceived to influence the content of this article. This does not alter the authors’ adherence to all the journal policies. Dr Michael Berk has received Grant/Research Support from the NIH, Cooperative Research Centre, Simons Autism Foundation, Cancer Council of Victoria, Stanley Medical Research Foundation, Medical Benefits Fund, National Health and Medical Research Council, Medical Research Futures Fund, Beyond Blue, Rotary Health, A2 milk company, Meat and Livestock Board, Woolworths, Avant and the Harry Windsor Foundation, has been a speaker for Abbot, Astra Zeneca, Janssen and Janssen, Lundbeck and Merck and served as a consultant to Allergan, Astra Zeneca, Bioadvantex, Bionomics, Collaborative Medicinal Development, Eisai, Janssen and Janssen, Lundbeck Merck, Pfizer and Servier – all unrelated to this work. Ravi Gupta, MD, PhD, is a Member of the Advisory Board of Eisai Inc and Blackbeard Technology Private Limited, India. He declares that he has no competing interests that might be perceived to influence the content of this article. This does not alter the authors’ adherence to all the journal policies. Dan Stein, MD, PhD, received research grants and/or consultancy honoraria from Lundbeck and Sun. He declares that he has no competing interests that might be perceived to influence the content of this article. This does not alter the authors’ adherence to all the journal policies. Stephen M. Stahl, MD, PhD, Dsc (Hon.) is a consultant of the following companies: Acadia, Alkermes, Allergan, Arbor Pharmaceuticals, Axovant, Axsome, Celgene, Concert, ClearView, EMD Serono, Eisai Pharmaceuticals, Ferring, Impel NeuroPharma, Intra-Cellular Therapies, Ironshore Pharmaceuticals, Janssen, Lilly, Lundbeck, Merck, Otsuka, Pfizer, Sage Therapeutics, Servier, Shire, Sunovion, Takeda, Taliaz, Teva, Tonix, Tris Pharma, and Viforpharma. He is a board member of Genomind and on the speakers' bureau of Acadia, Lundbeck, Otsuka, Perrigo, Servier, Sunovion, Takeda, and Vertex. He received research and/or grant support from Acadia, Avanir, Braeburn Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, Intra-Cellular Therapies, Ironshore, ISSWSH, Neurocrine, Otsuka, Shire, Sunovion, and TMS NeuroHealth Centers. He declares that he has no competing interests that might be perceived to influence the content of this article. This does not alter the authors’ adherence to all the journal policies. Dr. Charney reports, in addition, that he has a patent • US Patent No. 10 478 405 – Method for Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (issued November 19, 2019) issued; a patent • US Patent No. 10123737 – Systems and Methods for Treating a Psychiatric Disorder (issued November 13, 2018) licensed to Click Therapeutics, Inc.; a patent • US Patent No. 9592207 – Intranasal Administration of Ketamine to Treat Depression (issued March 14, 2017) licensed to Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; a patent • US Patent No. 9539220 – Methods for Treating Suicidal Ideation (issued January 10, 2017) licensed to Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; a patent • US Patent No. 8785500 – Intranasal Administration of Ketamine to Treat Depression (issued July 22, 2014) licensed to Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a patent • US Serial No. 16/189059 – and related foreign patent applications – Systems and Methods for Treating a Psychiatric Disorder, licensed to Click Therapeutics, Inc.; a patent • US Serial No. 17/041770 and related foreign patent applications – System and Methods for Processing Connectivity Values Between Sub-Processing Regions licensed to Click Therapeutics, Inc.; a patent • US CON Patent Appl No. 16/674381 and related foreign patent applications – Method for Treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) pending; a patent • US Serial No. 14/889746 and a related European patent application – Treatment of Mood and Anxiety Disorders pending; and a patent • US Serial No. 16/844090 and US Serial No. 15/930140 – Intranasal Administration of Ketamine to Treat Depression. (Continuation patent applications in the same patent family as issued US Patents 8785500 and US 9539220 and US 9592207) licensed to Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All remaining authors declare that they have no proprietary, financial, professional, or any other personal interest of any nature or kind in any product or services and/or company that could be construed or considered a potential conflict of interest that might have influenced the views expressed in this manuscript.