Neuropsychology & COVID-19

A well written article which highlights the important role of neuropsychology in the COVID-19 pandemic. Cognitive sequelae related to viral infection has long been recognized and the SARS-CoV-2 virus is no exception; viral infection can lead to dysreuglation of the central nervous system (CNS) and prolonged periods of hypoxia which can lead to alterations in cognitive functioning. In the case of COVID-19, patients with mild symptoms recover without the need for interventions, where as those with moderate, severe or critical forms of the disease, there can be significant CNS implications leading to cognitive alterations, such as memory and dysexecutive issues, not to mention neuropsychiatric symptoms. Neuropsychological assessments provides a “profile of residual abilities, emerging difficulties, and potential trend of cognitive decline” as well as, I would argue, to inform needed rehabilitation or intervention at all stages of recovery. The article makes a case for the important contribution of neuropsychology in the phases that follow acute COVID-19 infection to not only help understand the cognitive implications of the disease, but also to facilitate the implementation of appropriate cognitive and behavioural interventions and continuity of interventions beyond discharge. Neuropsychologists also play a paramount role in facilitating communication and understanding of the presence, severity and impact of the patients neurocognitive sequelae to the patient’s family and caregivers to promote and bolster their support system, which could greatly help with their ability to cope with any alterations in cognitive and / or neuropsychiatric complications of the disease. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2020.573207/full