Cognitive functions and SARS-CoV-2 infection

As of January 29, 2021, in the general population, the total number of people infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which we call “convalescents”, was 73,961,553. In how many patients in this group will we be able to observe long-term symptoms from the cognitive sphere? This is a question that we do not know the answer to today. However, more and more scientific reports indicate that cognitive deficits are a frequent and serious symptom in patients with active SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as in those who have had the disease in the past. Common symptoms include: weakening of short-term memory efficiency, weakening of the attention function and the executive functions (e.g. difficulties with inhibiting reactions, planning and problem solving).

The aim of the article is to present the current state of knowledge on the possible cognitive functioning in the acute phase of infection and in the recovery period, as well as to draw attention to the need to consider possible neurocognitive symptoms of the past infection in the diagnosis process.