Neurocognitive Manifestations of SARS-CoV2: A Narrative Review of Mechanisms

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 that is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
(SARS-CoV-2) in 2020 throughout the world, a lot of aspects of people’s lives are affected including
their psychological status. Follow-up assessment of survivors of this infection showed that they
had multiple psychological disorders including depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive
disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It is estimated that more than one-third of patients with
COVID-19 experience neuropsychiatric symptoms, including headache, paresthesia, and disturbed
consciousness. Among patients affected by COVID-19, there are different mechanisms that can
cause cognitive dysfunction. COVID-19 can affect the central nervous system (CNS) directly by
invasion and indirectly by inducing hypoxia, inflammation, and delirium. The pandemic and fear
of infection can also cause anxiety which impairs the cognition as well. By assessing the patients’
cognition and knowing the higher probable cause of cognitive impairment, we can form a better
strategy to better treat the impairment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be effective in reducing the
anxiety and cognitive rehabilitation therapy (CRT) can be used to lower the detrimental effects of
cognitive impairment caused by COVID-19.