Approaches to Understanding COVID-19 and its Neurological Associations

Abstract

There is an accumulating volume of research into neurological manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, inconsistent study designs, inadequate controls, poorly validated tests, and differing settings, interventions, and cultural norms weaken study quality and comparability, hence the understanding of the spectrum, burden, and pathophysiology of these complications. Therefore, a global COVID-19 Neuro Research Coalition, together with the World Health Organization, has reviewed reports of COVID-19 neurological complications and harmonized clinical measures for future research. This will facilitate well-designed studies using precise, consistent case definitions of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and neurological complications, with standardized forms for pooled data analyses that nonspecialists can use, including those in low-income settings. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:1059–1067.