Webinar series "COVID-19"

COVID-19 can affect the brain of infected individuals, which may result in a wide range of neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms. It can also have a profound psychological and psychiatric impact on the general population. In this webinar we will further discuss the concept of “neuro-COVID” and examine the expanding knowledge of its impact on specific brain systems. We will examine the causal role of neuro-COVID in dementia and delirium; in executive deficit, memory impairment and other specific cognitive impairments; in psychosis and psychiatric and psychological disorders; and its pediatric manifestations. We will also review the emerging therapeutic approaches, global research and clinical initiatives, and how one can participate in them.

The webinar features Elkhonon Goldberg, Ph.D., ABPP., a clinical neuropsychologist and cognitive neuroscientist, Clinical Professor in the Department of Neurology, NYU School of Medicine and Diplomate of The American Board of Professional Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology. His critically acclaimed and bestselling books have been published in 21 languages.

COVID-19 and Brain Dysfunction: Evolving Understanding

COVID-19 is a viral illness caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which has become a global pandemic affecting all of us. While it has been originally characterized as respiratory illness, a growing body of evidence suggests that the brain may also be affected. In this webinar we will discuss the concept of “neuro-COVID” and examine the emerging evidence of COVID-19 impact on the human brain and the multiple clinical neurological and neuropsychological manifestations of this impact. In particular, we will discuss the potential for long-term neurocognitive sequelae of neuro-COVID and the role of neuropsychology in addressing them.

In addition, we will briefly review the impact of diseases caused by other coronaviruses (SARS, MERS) on the brain.

Agenda:

• COVID-19 pandemic and the brain.
• Brain as the target of COVID-19.
• Direct vs indirect mechanisms of brain damage in COVID-19.
• Primary mechanisms of brain infection: transsynaptic vs hematogenous.
• Mechanisms of infection: the role of ACE2 receptor.
• COVID-19 and immune response.
• Clinical neurological and neuropsychiatric manifestations of COVID-19.
• Introducing “Neuro-COVID”.
• Long-term sequelae of Neuro-COVID.
• Other coronaviruses and the brain: SARS, MERS.
• Other viruses and the brain: HIV, and HSV.

NEUROCOVID-19: Cognitive, Psychiatric, and Psychological Manifestations

COVID-19 can affect the brain of infected individuals, which may result in a wide range of neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms. It can also have a profound psychological and psychiatric impact on the general population. In this webinar we will further discuss the concept of “neuro-COVID” and examine the expanding knowledge of its impact on specific brain systems. We will examine the causal role of neuro-COVID in dementia and delirium; in executive deficit, memory impairment and other specific cognitive impairments; in psychosis and psychiatric and psychological disorders; and its pediatric manifestations. We will also review the emerging therapeutic approaches, global research and clinical initiatives, and how one can participate in them.

Agenda:

• COVID-19 pandemic and the brain: a brief recap.
• The impact of neuro-COVID on the frontal lobes, temporal lobes, brainstem, and other structures.
• Specific types of cognitive impairment caused by neuro-COVID: executive deficit, amnestic syndromes, and others.
• Delirium and dementia in neuro-COVID.
• Psychiatric manifestations of neuro-COVID.
• Psychosis in neuro-COVID.
• Neuro-COVID in children.
• Emerging therapeutic approaches.
• Global initiatives.

For more information please visit LNinstitute.org.

About the Instructor

The webinar will feature Elkhonon Goldberg, Ph.D., ABPP., a clinical neuropsychologist and cognitive neuroscientist, Clinical Professor in the Department of Neurology, NYU School of Medicine and Diplomate of The American Board of Professional Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology. Elkhonon Goldberg, Ph.D., ABPP authored numerous research papers on functional cortical organization, hemispheric specialization, frontal lobe functions and dysfunction, memory and amnesias, traumatic brain injury, dementias, and schizophrenia. Goldberg’s books The Executive Brain (2001), The Wisdom Paradox (2005), and The New Executive Brain (2009) have met with international acclaim. He coauthored The SharpBrains Guide to Cognitive Fitness (2013). He was a student and close associate of the great neuropsychologist Alexander Luria.

Dr. Goldberg’s more recent books are:

1. Creativity: The Human Brain in the Age of Innovation (Oxford University Press, 2018)

2. Executive Functions in Health and Disease (Academic Press, 2017)