November 2020
COVID-19 and The Brain
Scientists and physicians are learning more about COVID-19 each day. At Northwestern, a Neuro COVID-19 Clinic has been established and is led by Igor Koralnik, MD, chief of Neuroinfectious Disease and professor of Neurology.
Josh Cahan, MD, fellow at the Mesulam Center, has been assisting the Neuro-COVID-19 Clinic with patient referrals when individuals score below average on the NIH Toolbox.
So far, Cahan has had several patients referred to the Neurobehavior and Memory Clinic for evaluation post-COVID. In these telehealth appointments, he has been able to use cognitive tests that were adapted for research participant visits to evaluate these unique cognitive complaints such as fatigue and brain fog.
While universally COVID-19 doesn’t affect the brain, there are definitely lasting neurological symptoms that linger after the virus runs its course.
Looking at the brain post-mortem for the Neuro COVID-19 Clinic has been interesting for assistant professor of neuropathology Maggie Flanagan, MD. Every case is different, she notes, and the team is still learning a lot about how the virus affects the brain.
The Mesulam Center is proud to be involved in this important, innovative work. Learn more about the Neuro COVID-19 Clinic.
Online Extras
Q&A on Caregiving and Self-Care
During National Family Caregiver Month we caught up with Sheri Yarbrough, PhD, author of Omg! I'm the Grown-Up! A Conversation on Giving-Care to a Loved One...And Yourself, to discuss caregiving around the holidays.