Persistent cognitive impairment as a rare manifestation of mild COVID-19 infection - A case series

Abstract

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a worldwide epidemic. Although the main target of COVID-19 is the respiratory system, it is known that the virus can cause neurological complications. Previous studies have shown that its neurological manifestations are usually seen in critically ill patients. In this study, we introduced patients who developed COVID-induced encephalitis despite their good general condition and mild symptoms. The only symptoms of encephalitis in these patients were cognitive impairment, that persisted for more than 6 months. This disorder was confirmed by Neuropsychiatry Unit Cognitive Assessment Tool (NUCOG) test results in patients. While previous studies have shown that COVID-induced cognitive impairment improves over time. Therefore, it is recommended that the diagnosis and treatment of encephalitis be considered in patients with COVID-19 who have mild cognitive and behavioral symptoms.