Neurological manifestations in women with post-COVID syndrome

Post-COVID syndrome (PCS) is accompanied by neurological manifestations. The routes of virus penetration and the pathogenetic mechanisms triggered by COVID-19 in the infected body play an important role.

Aim. To provide a clinical and neurophysiological description of the neurological manifestations of post-COVID syndrome.

Methods. A total of 225 women with PCS were examined. Clinical, neurophysiological (electroencephalography, electroneuromyography), and neuropsychological examinations were performed.

Results. The main clinical syndrome was asthenia (100 % of cases); cognitive and emotional-volitional disorders were recorded (70.8 % and 36.2 %, respectively). Hyposmia was observed (55 %), distorted perception of odors (parosmia) was recorded in 20 % of cases, hyperosmia and anosmia – in 5 %, and 15 % of the examined patients had no impairment of smell. In patients with PCS, distal polyneuropathy was diagnosed in 11.1 % of cases, confirmed by electroneuromyography. According to the electroencephalogram (EEG), a change in coherence in the alpha-band was revealed. An increase in interhemispheric connections in the temporal regions was observed, and coherence in the frontal areas decreased compared to normal values. Neuropsychological testing showed a decrease in cognitive functions, manifested in changes in neuropsychological indicators reflecting impairments in short-term (auditory-verbal) and long-term memory, and reciprocal coordination.

Conclusion. The main clinical manifestations of PCS in women are asthenia of varying severity, cognitive and emotional-volitional disorders with an anxiety-depressive component, disorders of sensory functions (smell and taste), and polyneuropathy of the extremities. The study revealed impaired indicators reflecting the state of shortterm (auditory-verbal) and long-term memory, as well as reciprocal coordination.

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