AAN 2021 | Pathophysiology of acute and post-viral neurologic complications of COVID-19

Avindra Nath, MD, MBBS, FAAN, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MA, discusses the acute and post-viral neurologic complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the latest scientific understanding of the neuropathology in COVID-19. Acute phase neurologic complications can be caused by the direct effects of the virus on the brain, or in more severe cases where patients are hospitalized with multi-organ involvement, the effects on the brain can be secondary to other organ damage. Many patients also report long-term neurological complaints following viral infection, including psychiatric manifestations, memory problems, exercise intolerance, and autonomic disturbances. Dr Nath discusses investigations into the pathophysiology of these ‘long haul’ patients. This interview took place during the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2021 Annual Meeting.