EAN publications

Maurizio A. Leone, Raimund Helbok, Elisa Bianchi, Clarissa Lin Yasuda …  Claudio L. A. Bassetti, Elena Moro, ENERGY Study Group
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-024-12212-8

Background: Several neurological manifestations are part of the post-COVID condition. We aimed to: (1) evaluate the 6-month outcome in the cohort of patients with neurological manifestations during the COVID-19 acute phase and surviving the infection, and find outcome predictors; (2) define the prevalence and type of neurological symptoms persistent at six months after the infection.

Methods: Data source was an international registry of patients with COVID-19 infection and neurological symptoms, signs or diagnoses established by the European Academy of Neurology. Functional status at six-month follow-up was measured with the modified Rankin scale (mRS), and defined as: “stable/improved” if the mRS at six months was equal as or lower than the baseline score; “worse” if it was higher than the baseline score.

Results: By October 30, 2022, 1,003 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients were followed up for a median of 6.5 months. Compared to their pre-morbid status, 522 patients (52%) were stable/improved, whereas 465 (46%) were worse (functional status missing for 16). Age, hospitalization, several pre-COVID-19 comorbidities, and COVID-19 general complications were predictors of a worse status. Amongst neurological manifestations, stroke carried the highest risk for worse outcome (OR 5.96), followed by hyperactive delirium (2.8), and peripheral neuropathies (2.37). On the other hand, hyposmia/hypogeusia (0.38), headache (0.40), myalgia (0.45), and COVID-19 vaccination (0.52) were predictors of a favourable prognosis. Persisting neurological symptoms or signs were reported by 316/1003 patients (31.5%), the commonest being fatigue (n = 133), and impaired memory or concentration (n = 103). Our study identified significant long-term prognostic predictors in patients with COVID-19 and neurological manifestations.

Conclusions: In a multinational cohort of patients with COVID-19 undergoing structured neurological consultation, followed for six months, almost half of patients is still not back to pre-morbid status, and one third present persistent neurological manifestations. Although this burden is substantial, it could be similar to that following other infectious diseases. The analysis of post-COVID symptomatology and its specificity could pave the way to a better understanding of the complex and underexplored picture of post-infectious diseases.

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Martin Rakusa, Elena Moro, Tamar Akhvlediani, Daniel Bereczki, Benedetta Bodini, Francesco Cavallieri... Johann Sellner
https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.16168

Abstract

Background and Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted health systems worldwide. Here, we assessed the pandemic's impact on clinical service, curricular training, and financial burden from a neurological viewpoint during the enforced lockdown periods and the assumed recovery by 2023.

Methods: An online 18-item survey was conducted by the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) NeuroCOVID-19 Task Force among the EAN community. The survey was online between February and March 2023. Questions related to general, demographic, clinical, work, education, and economic aspects.

Results: We collected 430 responses from 79 countries. Most health care professionals were aged 35–44 years, with >15 years of work experience. The key findings of their observations were as follows. (i) Clinical services were cut back in all neurological subspecialties during the most restrictive COVID-19 lockdown period. The most affected neurological subspecialties were services for patients with dementia, and neuromuscular and movement disorders. The levels of reduction and the pace of recovery were distinct for acute emergencies and in- and outpatient care. Recovery was slow for sleep medicine, autonomic nervous system disorders, neurorehabilitation, and dementia care. (ii) Student and residency rotations and grand rounds were reorganized, and congresses were converted into a virtual format. Conferences are partly maintained in a hybrid format. (iii) Affordability of neurological care and medication shortage are emerging issues.

Conclusions: Recovery of neurological services up to spring 2023 has been incomplete following substantial disruption of neurological care, medical education, and health economics in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The continued limitations for the delivery of neurological care threaten brain health and call for action on a global scale.

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Tamar Akhvlediani, Raphael Bernard-Valnet, Sara P. Dias, Randi Eikeland, Bettina Pfausler, Johann Sellner,
https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.16017

Abstract

Background and purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), rapidly spread across the globe. Tremendous efforts have been mobilized to create effective antiviral treatment options to reduce the burden of the disease. This article summarizes the available knowledge about the antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 from a neurologist's perspective.

Methods: We summarize neurological aspects of antiviral compounds against SARS-CoV-2 with full, conditional, or previous marketing authorization by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Results: Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir targets the SARS-CoV-2 3c-like protease using combinatorial chemistry. Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir levels are affected by medications metabolized by or inducing CYP3A4, including those used in neurological diseases. Dysgeusia with a bitter or metallic taste is a common side effect of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Molnupiravir is a nucleotide analog developed to inhibit the replication of viruses. No clinically significant interactions with other drugs have been identified, and no specific considerations for people with neurological comorbidity are required. In the meantime, inconsistent results from clinical trials regarding efficacy have led to the withdrawal of marketing authorization by the EMA. Remdesivir is a viral RNA polymerase inhibitor and interferes with the production of viral RNA. The most common side effect in patients with COVID-19 is nausea. Remdesivir is a substrate for CYP3A4.

Conclusions: Neurological side effects and drug interactions must be considered for antiviral compounds against SARS-CoV-2. Further studies are required to better evaluate their efficacy and adverse events in patients with concomitant neurological diseases. Moreover, evidence from real-world studies will complement the current knowledge.

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Diogo Reis Carneiro, Isabel Rocha, Mario Habek, Raimund Helbok, Johann Sellner, Walter Struhal,... Alessandra Fanciulli 
DOI: 10.1111/ene.15714

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction may reportedly occur after a coronavirus-disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection, but the available evidence is scattered. Here we sought to understand the acute and mid-term effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on cardiovascular autonomic function.

Methods: We performed a systematic PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, medRxiv, and bioRxiv search for cases of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction during an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection or post-COVID-19 condition. The clinical-demographic characteristics of individuals in the acute versus post-COVID-19 phase were compared.

Results: We screened 6470 titles and abstracts. Fifty-four full-length articles were included in the data synthesis. One-hundred and thirty-four cases were identified: 81 during the acute SARS-CoV-2 infection (24 thereof diagnosed by history) and 53 in the post-COVID-19 phase. Post-COVID-19 cases were younger than those with cardiovascular autonomic disturbances in the acute SARS-CoV-2 phase (42 vs. 51 years old, p = 0.002) and were more frequently women (68% vs. 49%, p = 0.034). Reflex syncope was the most common cardiovascular autonomic disorder in the acute phase (p = 0.008) and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) the most frequent diagnosis in individuals with post-COVID-19 orthostatic complaints (p < 0.001). Full recovery was more frequent in individuals with acute versus post-COVID-19 onset of cardiovascular autonomic disturbances (43% vs. 15%, p = 0.002).

Conclusions: There is evidence from the scientific literature about different types of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction developing during and after COVID-19. More data about the prevalence of autonomic disorders associated with a SARS-CoV-2 infection are needed to quantify its impact on human health.

Keywords: COVID-19; autonomic nervous system; orthostatic hypotension; postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome; syncope.

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Alessandra Fanciulli, Fabian Leys, Magdalena Krbot Skorić, Diogo Reis Carneiro, Giovanna Calandra-Buonaura, Jennifer Camaradou... Mario Habek
DOI: 10.1111/ene.15787

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the impact of the coronavirus-disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on European clinical autonomic practice.

Methods: Eighty-four neurology-driven or interdisciplinary autonomic centers in 22 European countries were invited to fill in a web-based survey between September and November 2021.

Results: Forty-six centers completed the survey (55%). During the first pandemic year, the number of performed tilt-table tests, autonomic outpatient and inpatient visits decreased respectively by 50%, 45% and 53%, and every-third center reported major adverse events due to postponed examinations or visits. The most frequent newly-diagnosed or worsened cardiovascular autonomic disorders after COVID-19 infection included postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), orthostatic hypotension, and recurrent vasovagal syncope, deemed likely related to the infection by ≥50% of the responders. Forty-seven percent of the responders also reported about people with new-onset of orthostatic intolerance, but negative tilt-table findings, and 16% about people with psychogenic pseudosyncope after COVID-19. Most patients were treated non-pharmacologically and symptomatic recovery at follow-up was observed in ≥45% of cases. By contrast, low frequencies of newly-diagnosed cardiovascular autonomic disorders following COVID-19 vaccination were reported, most frequently POTS and recurrent vasovagal syncope, and most of the responders judged a causal association unlikely. Non-pharmacological measures were the preferred treatment choice, with 50-100% recovery rates at follow-up.

Conclusions: Cardiovascular autonomic disorders may develop or worsen following a COVID-19 infection, while the association with COVID-19 vaccines remains controversial. Despite the severe pandemic impact on European clinical autonomic practice, a specialized diagnostic work-up was pivotal to identify non-autonomic disorders in people with post-COVID-19 orthostatic complaints.

Keywords: COVID-19 infection; COVID-19 vaccination; POTS; autonomic nervous system; orthostatic hypotension; postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome; syncope; telemedicine.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Authors: Ettore Beghi, Elena Moro, Eugenia Irene Davidescu, Bogdan Ovidiu Popescu, Oxana Grosu … Claudio L. A. Bassetti
https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.15617

Abstract

Background and purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the neurological com-plications of SARS-CoV-   2 infection and compare phenotypes and outcomes in infected patients with and without selected neurological manifestations.

Methods:The data source was a registry established by the European Academy of Neurology during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Neurologists collected data on patients with COVID-19 seen as in-  and outpatients and in emergency rooms in 23 European and seven non-European countries. Prospective and retrospective data included patient demographics, lifestyle habits, comorbidities, main COVID-19 complica-tions, hospital and intensive care unit admissions, diagnostic tests, and outcome. Acute/subacute selected neurological manifestations in patients with COVID-19 were analysed, comparing individuals with and without each condition for several risk factors.

Results: By July 31, 2021, 1523 patients (758 men, 756 women, and nine intersex/un-known, aged 16–101 years) were registered. Neurological manifestations were diagnosed in 1213 infected patients (79.6%). At study entry, 978 patients (64.2%) had one or more chronic general or neurological comorbidities. Predominant acute/subacute neurological manifestations were cognitive dysfunction (N= 449, 29.5%), stroke (N=  392, 25.7%), sleep–    wake disturbances (N=  250, 16.4%), dysautonomia (N=  224, 14.7%), peripheral neuropathy (N= 145, 9.5%), movement disorders (N= 142, 9.3%), ataxia (N= 134, 8.8%), and seizures (N=  126, 8.3%). These manifestations tended to differ with regard to age, general and neurological comorbidities, infection severity and non- neurological manifes-tations, extent of association with other acute/subacute neurological manifestations, and outcome.

Conclusions:Patients with COVID-19 and neurological manifestations present with dis-tinct phenotypes. Differences in age, general and neurological comorbidities, and infec-tion severity characterize the various neurological manifestations of COVID-19

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Martin Rakusa, Serefnur Öztürk, Elena Moro, Raimund Helbok, Claudio L. Bassetti, Ettore Beghi... Johann Sellner
https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.15368

Abstract

Background: Health risks associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection are undisputed. Moreover, the capability of vaccination to prevent symptomatic, severe and fatal COVID-19 is recognized. There is also early evidence that vaccination can reduce the chance for long COVID-19. Nonetheless, the willingness to get vaccinated and receive booster shots remains subpar among people with neurologic disorders. Vaccine scepticism not only jeopardizes collective efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic but puts individual lives at risk as some chronic neurologic diseases are associated with a higher risk for an unfavorable COVID-19 course.

Aim: In this position paper, the NeuroCOVID-19 Task Force of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) summarizes the current knowledge on the prognosis of COVID-19 among patients with neurologic disease, elucidates potential barriers to vaccination coverage and formulates strategies to overcome vaccination hesitancy. A survey among the task force members on the phenomenon of vaccination hesitancy among people with neurologic disease supports the lines of argumentation.

Results: The study revealed that people with multiple sclerosis and other nervous system autoimmune disorders are most skeptical of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The prevailing concerns included the chance of worsening the pre-existing neurological condition, vaccination-related adverse events, and drug interaction.

Recommendations: The EAN NeuroCOVID-19 task force reinforces the key role of neurologists as advocates of COVID-19 vaccination. Neurologists need to argue in the interest of their patients about the overwhelming individual and global benefits of COVID-19 vaccination. Moreover, they need to keep on eye on this vulnerable patient group, their concerns and the emergence of potential safety signals.

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Ettore Beghi, Raimund Helbok, Serefnur Oztturk, Omer Karadas, Vitalie Lisnic, Oxana Grosu... Claudio L. A. Bassetti,  https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.15293

Abstract

Background and purpose: Despite the increasing number of reports on the spectrum of neurological manifestations of COVID-19 (neuro-COVID), few studies have assessed short- and long-term outcome of the disease.

Methods: This is a cohort study enrolling adult patients with neuro-COVID seen in neurological consultation. Data were collected prospectively or retrospectively in the European Academy of Neurology NEuro-covid ReGistrY ((ENERGY). The outcome at discharge was measured using the modified Rankin Scale and defined as ‘stable/improved’ if the modified Rankin Scale score was equal to or lower than the pre-morbid score, ‘worse’ if the score was higher than the pre-morbid score. Status at 6 months was also recorded. Demographic and clinical variables were assessed as predictors of outcome at discharge and 6 months.

Results: From July 2020 to March 2021, 971 patients from 19 countries were included. 810 (83.4%) were hospitalized. 432 (53.3%) were discharged with worse functional status. Older age, stupor/coma, stroke and intensive care unit (ICU) admission were predictors of worse outcome at discharge. 132 (16.3%) died in hospital. Older age, cancer, cardiovascular complications, refractory shock, stupor/coma and ICU admission were associated with death. 262 were followed for 6 months. Acute stroke or ataxia, ICU admission and degree of functional impairment at discharge were predictors of worse outcome. 65/221 hospitalized patients (29.4%) and 10/32 non-hospitalized patients (24.4%) experienced persisting neurological symptoms/signs. 10/262 patients (3.8%) developed new neurological complaints during the 6 months of follow-up.

Conclusions: Neuro-COVID is a severe disease associated with worse functional status at discharge, particularly in older subjects and those with comorbidities and acute complications of infection.

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https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.15087

Benedetta Bodini, Elena Moro, Joke Jaarsma, Elizabeth Cunningham, Johann Sellner, Donna Walsh, on behalf of the EANcore COVID-19 Task Force

Abstract

Background and purpose: The European Federation of Neurological Associations (EFNA), in partnership with the NeuroCOVID-19 taskforce of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), has investigated the impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with neurological diseases, as well as the hopes and fears of these patients about the post-pandemic phase.

Methods: An EFNA-EAN survey was available online to any person living with a neurological disorder in Europe. It consisted of 18 items concerning the impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on the medical care of people with neurological disorders, and the hopes and fears of these individuals regarding the post-pandemic phase.

Results: For 44.4% of the 443 survey participants, the overall care of their neurological disease during the pandemic was inappropriate. This perception was mainly due to significant delays in accessing medical care (25.7%), insufficiently reliable information received about the potential impact of COVID-19 on their neurological disease (49.6%), and a substantial lack of involvement in their disease management decisions (54.3%). Participants indicated that their major concerns for the post-pandemic phase were experiencing longer waiting times to see a specialist (24.1%), suffering from social isolation and deteriorating mental well-being (23.1%), and facing delays in clinical trials with disinvestment in neuroscience research (13.1%).

Conclusions: Despite the great efforts of health services to cope with the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals with neurological conditions feel they have been left behind. These findings provide invaluable insights for improving the care of patients with neurological disorders in the further course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Chou SH, Beghi E, Helbok R, et al. Global Incidence of Neurological Manifestations Among Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19—A Report for the GCS-NeuroCOVID Consortium and the ENERGY Consortium. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(5):e2112131. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.12131

Abstract

Question: What are the incidence of and outcomes associated with neurologic manifestations in patients with COVID-19?

Findings: In this cohort study of 3744 patients in 2 large consortia, neurological manifestations were found in approximately 80% of patients hospitalized with COVID-19; the most common self-reported symptoms included headache (37%) and anosmia or ageusia (26%), whereas the most common neurological signs and/or syndromes were acute encephalopathy (49%), coma (17%), and stroke (6%). Presence of clinically captured neurologic signs and/or syndromes was associated with increased risk of in-hospital death.

Meaning: These findings suggest that neurological manifestations are prevalent among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and are associated with higher in-hospital mortality.

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Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), a multi‐organ disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), continues to challenge health and care systems around the globe. The pandemic has disrupted acute neurology services and routine patient care and has impacted the clinical course in patients with chronic neurologic disease. COVID‐19 appears to have exposed inequalities of societies and healthcare systems and had disproportionate impact on already vulnerable communities. The next challenge will be to set up initiatives to stop disparities in all aspects related to COVID‐19. From the medical perspective, there is a need to consider inequalities in prevention, treatment, and long‐term consequences. Some of the issues of direct relevance to neurologists are summarised. With this appraisal, the European Academy of Neurology NeuroCOVID‐19 Task Force intends to raise awareness of the potential impact of COVID‐19 on inequalities in healthcare and calls for action to prevent disparity at individual, national and supranational level.

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Introduction

Immunization by means of vaccination is a global health success story, saving millions of lives every year. In this regard, the epidemiology of measles, rabies, polio, rubella, varicella, influenza, and mumps infections, all of which can harm the nervous system, could be contained by global vaccination campaigns. In addition, toxoid vaccines against bacterial toxins such as tetanus and diphtheria are indispensable and effective interventions for toxin‐mediated neurologic diseases [1] The use of conjugate vaccines against major causes of bacterial meningitis (e.g., Haemophilus influenzae type b, Neisseria meningitidis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae) in routine pediatric immunization programs as well as for high‐risk groups have significantly lowered the burden of disease over the past three decades Immunization against measles is the only preventive measure against subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a chronic progressive inflammatory disorder of the brain that is associated with a devastating course.

Prophylactic vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection and the resulting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is an eagerly awaited measure to contain the pandemic, which has had devastating medical, economic, and social consequences.

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Abstract

The COVID‐19 pandemic is a global public health issue. Neurological complications have been reported in up to one‐third of affected cases, but their distribution varies significantly in terms of prevalence, incidence and phenotypical characteristics. Variability can be mostly explained by the differing sources of cases (hospital vs. community‐based), the accuracy of the diagnostic approach and the interpretation of the patients’ complaints. Moreover, after recovering, patients can still experience neurological symptoms. To obtain a more precise picture of the neurological manifestations and outcome of the COVID‐19 infection, an international registry (ENERGY) has been created by the European Academy of Neurology in collaboration with European national neurological societies and the Neurocritical Care Society and Research Network. ENERGY can be implemented as a stand‐alone instrument for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID‐19 and neurological findings or as an addendum to an existing registry not targeting neurological symptoms. Data are also collected to study the impact of neurological symptoms and neurological complications on outcomes. The variables included in the registry have been selected in the interests of most countries, to favour pooling with data from other sources and to facilitate data collection even in resource‐poor countries. Included are adults with suspected or confirmed COVID‐19 infection, ascertained through neurological consultation, and providing informed consent. Key demographic and clinical findings are collected at registration. Patients are followed up to 12 months in search of incident neurological manifestations. As of 19 August, 254 centres from 69 countries and four continents have made requests to join the study.

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Helbok, R., Chou, S.H.Y., Beghi, E., Mainali, S., Frontera, J., Robertson, C., Fink, E., Schober, M., Moro, E., McNett, M. and Bassetti, C.L., 2020. NeuroCOVID: it's time to join forces globally. The Lancet Neurology, 19(10), pp.805-806. Published:October, 2020  DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(20)30322-7

Since the recognition of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 outbreak in December, 2019, there are now over 22·1 million COVID-19 cases worldwide, with more than 780 220 deaths. Reports of neurological manifestations associated with COVID-19 range from mild (headache, hyposmia, ageusia, myalgia, and fatigue or sleepiness) to severe (encephalopathy, ischemic and haemorrhagic strokes, seizures, hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury, and Guillain-Barré and other autoimmune syndromes), with prevalence rates ranging from 6% to 84%. The true prevalence, underlying mechanisms (infectious, autoimmune, secondary to systemic complications), and outcomes of COVID-19 neurological manifestations remain a key knowledge gap.

Many global initiatives have emerged to address these critical questions. The rapid and parallel implementation of these initiatives in a pandemic has resulted in discrepant data elements and definitions of neurological symptoms and signs. Furthermore, fragmented scientific approaches and overlapping consortia, in which centres can contribute data to multiple registries, raise the possibility of double-counting in future meta-analysis. All of these factors threaten the scientific rigour and yield of these combined global efforts. To address this issue, the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) and the Neurocritical Care Society (NCS)-endorsed Global Consortium Studies of Neurological Dysfunction in COVID-19 (GCS-NeuroCOVID) established a formal collaboration, thus forming the largest global network to date. An important research priority is to develop consensus and harmonisation of data elements with uniform definitions, which was emphasised in a recent Editorial in The Lancet Neurology.

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Abstract

Background and purpose: The recent SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic has posed multiple challenges to the practice of clinical neurology including recognition of emerging neurological complications and management of coexistent neurological diseases. In a fast‐evolving pandemic, evidence‐based studies are lacking in many areas. This paper presents European Academy of Neurology (EAN) expert consensus statements to guide neurologists caring for patients with COVID‐19.

Methods: A refined Delphi methodology was applied. In round 1, statements were provided by EAN scientific panels (SPs). In round 2, these statements were circulated to SP members not involved in writing them, asking for agreement/disagreement. Items with agreement >70% were retained for round 3, in which SP co‐chairs rated importance on a five‐point Likert scale. Results were graded by importance and reported as consensus statements.

Results: In round one, 70 statements were provided by 23 SPs. In round two, 259/1061 SP member responses were received. Fifty‐nine statements obtained >70% agreement and were retained. In round three, responses were received from 55 co‐chairs of 29 SPs. Whilst general recommendations related to prevention of COVID‐19 transmission had high levels of agreement and importance, opinion was more varied concerning statements related to therapy.

Conclusion: This is the first structured consensus statement on good clinical practice in patients with neurological disease during the COVID‐19 pandemic that provides immediate guidance for neurologists. In this fast‐evolving pandemic, a rapid response using refined Delphi methodology is possible, but guidance may be subject to change as further evidence emerges.

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Abstract

Background and purpose: Although the main clinical features of COVID‐19 infection are pulmonary, several associated neurological signs, symptoms and diseases are emerging. The incidence and characteristics of neurological complications are unclear. For this reason, the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) core COVID‐19 Task Force initiated a survey on neurological symptoms observed in patients with COVID‐19 infection.

Methods: A 17‐question online survey was made available on the EAN website and distributed to EAN members and other worldwide physicians starting on 9 April 2020.

Results: By 27 April 2020, proper data were collected from 2343 responders (out of 4199), of whom 82.0% were neurologists, mostly from Europe. Most responders (74.7%) consulted patients with COVID‐19 mainly in emergency rooms and in COVID‐19 units. The majority (67.0%) had evaluated fewer than 10 patients with neurological manifestations of COVID‐19 (neuro COVID‐19). The most frequently reported neurological findings were headache (61.9%), myalgia (50.4%), anosmia (49.2%), ageusia (39.8%), impaired consciousness (29.3%) and psychomotor agitation (26.7%). Encephalopathy and acute cerebrovascular disorders were reported at 21.0%. Neurological manifestations were generally interpreted as being possibly related to COVID‐19; they were most commonly recognized in patients with multiple general symptoms and occurred at any time during infection.

Conclusion: Neurologists are currently and actively involved in the management of neurological issues related to the COVID‐19 pandemic. This survey justifies setting up a prospective registry to better capture the prevalence of patients with neuro COVID‐19, neurological disease characteristics and the contribution of neurological manifestations to outcome.

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