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Intact Brain Network Function in an Unresponsive Patient with COVID ‐19
Author(s) -
Fischer David,
Threlkeld Zachary D.,
Bodien Yelena G.,
Kirsch John E.,
Huang Susie Y.,
Schaefer Pamela W.,
Rapalino Otto,
Hochberg Leigh R.,
Rosen Bruce R.,
Edlow Brian L.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.25838
Subject(s) - covid-19 , neuroimaging , medicine , brain function , disease , population , neuroscience , psychology , pathology , environmental health , outbreak , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Many patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) remain unresponsive after surviving critical illness. Although several structural brain abnormalities have been described, their impact on brain function and implications for prognosis are unknown. Functional neuroimaging, which has prognostic significance, has yet to be explored in this population. Here we describe a patient with severe COVID‐19 who, despite prolonged unresponsiveness and structural brain abnormalities, demonstrated intact functional network connectivity, and weeks later recovered the ability to follow commands. When prognosticating for survivors of severe COVID‐19, clinicians should consider that brain networks may remain functionally intact despite structural injury and prolonged unresponsiveness. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:851–854