**4. COVID-19 and nervous system: neurological manifestations**

Although, SARS-CoV-2 is primarily causing the insufficient function of the respiratory system, there are overwhelming amounts of evidence implying that neurological complications appear as a serious problem in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In the long-term, COVID-19 could negatively affect the nervous system [39].

Among patients who tested positive on SARS-CoV-2, various neurological irregularities have been described, affecting both the central and peripheral nervous system. Clinical condition and symptoms may vary from mild to severe, regardless of patient clinical status (severe form or asymptomatic infection). According to Helms et al., neurological abnormalities have been displayed in 30% of hospitalized patients, 45% of those with severe respiratory problems, and 85% of those who developed ARDS [40]. Patients with mild or asymptomatic infection were more likely to develop nonspecific neurological irregularity including headache, dizziness, malaise, and loss of sense of smell and taste.

In the review by Leonardi M, Padovani A, McArthur JC (2020) [41], authors have classified the reported neurological findings, into three distinctive categories:


In general, neurological complications in COVID-19 patients occur within 1 and 14 days, in most cases on average on the 5th day of the incubation period [42].
