COVID-19 Neuroimaging Update: Pathophysiology, Acute Findings, and Post-Acute Developments

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Radiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• COVID-19 significantly impacts the nervous system, with neuroimaging revealing key manifestations.
• Early pandemic observations focused on acute COVID-19's neurological effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the neuroimaging appearance of acute COVID-19.
• To highlight the pathophysiology behind nervous system effects and imaging findings.
• To discuss the evolving role of neuroimaging throughout the pandemic, including long COVID.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of neuroimaging studies related to COVID-19.
• Analysis of pathophysiology including cytokine storm, coagulopathy, and immune-mediated phenomena.
• Discussion of neuroimaging findings in acute and post-acute phases of COVID-19.

Main Results:

• Neuroimaging reveals diverse nervous system effects in COVID-19 patients.
• Pathophysiological mechanisms include systemic inflammation, coagulopathy, and immune responses.
• Imaging findings evolved with the pandemic, vaccine development, and emergence of long COVID.

Conclusions:

• Neuroimaging is crucial for understanding COVID-19's neurological impact.
• Pathophysiology explains observed neuroimaging abnormalities.
• Imaging plays a vital role in monitoring COVID-19 neurological sequelae, including long COVID.