Abstract published in Epilepsy Currents
There are an increasing number of clinical studies for COVID-19, with several large cohort studies documenting initial signs and symptoms. Realizing the need for current information, this summary provides a focused overview of pertinent clinical diagnostic information about neurological involvement of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and clinical presentation of COVID-19, especially in relationship to patients with seizures and epilepsy. Although there is no evidence from cohort studies in the general population that seizures are worsened in COVID-19, the relative lack of such studies in patients with a history of epileptic seizures limit conclusions about effects of COVID-19 patients with epilepsy. Overall, findings indicate seizures and epilepsy are rare, especially in mild COVID-19 cases but may occur in more severe cases later in the disease course. Caregivers should be vigilant in assessing for possible seizures, especially in patients with systemic effects of severe COVID-19 infections.