"Brain fog", a neurocognitive manifestation of the post-COVID-19 syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19, infection caused by SARS-CoV-2, causes damage to different organs and systems, such as the central nervous system. Among the neurological alterations, brain fog is described as a frequent neurocognitive manifestation in post-COVID-19 syndrome, with a negative impact on patients' quality of life. 104 articles published were reviewed from june 2020 to october 2022, in Pubmed, Medline, Lilacs and Cumed databases. Objective: To update knowledge on the neurocognitive manifestations of brain fog in post-COVID-19 syndrome. Development: Neurocognitive alterations of mental fog, attention, concentration and memory disorders, associated with other neurological symptoms, such as headache, insomnia, anosmia, ageusia, anxiety, depression, and other persistent symptoms, which characterize post-COVID-19 syndrome, are described. Reference is made to elements of the etiopathogenesis, highlighting the exaggerated systemic immune response, generated by the release of cytokines, aspects to keep in mind for the diagnostic and therapeutic conduct of post-COVID-19 patients. Conclusions: The neurocognitive symptoms of brain fog are frequent neurological alterations of post-COVID-19 syndrome, they are varied, with a combination of different symptoms in each patient, more frequent in women and in patients who presented severe disease.

Keywords

• covid-19
• sars-cov-2
• trastornos neurocognitivos
• sistema nervioso central
• niebla mental
• síndrome postagudo de covid-19.