Objective: To describe central and peripheral neurological manifestations in patients with COVID-19 and Parkinson’s disease.

Background: COVID-19 is associated with central and peripheral neurological manifestations. In patients with preexisting neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), identifying new neurological manifestations can be difficult, particularly when COVID-19 symptoms such as decreased smell and taste represent baseline PD symptoms.

Method: We reviewed central and peripheral neurological manifestations of COVID-19 in 12 consecutive patients with PD who presented to a suburban hospital and affiliated clinics in Washington State, USA.

Results: The median age was 72.5 years, of which 58% were male and 83% were Caucasian. Central neurological manifestations of COVID-19 were noted in 58% of patients.  New onset or worsening lightheadedness was present in 17% of patients. Four of 12 patients (33%) presented with metabolic encephalopathy, of which three had PD dementia and one died. Four of 12 patients (33%) presented with worsening balance, of which one had bilateral deep brain stimulators. Three of 12 patients (25%)
had no neurological manifestations with one of these patients receiving monoclonal antibody infusion as FDA emergency use authorization. Only one patient had peripheral neurological manifestations of neuropathic pain and myalgia. No patients reported new onset of loss of taste or smell.

Conclusion: The majority of patients with PD patients reported central neurological manifestations of lightheadedness, metabolic encephalopathy, and/or worsening balance. Only one reported peripheral neurological manifestations in this cohort.  Loss of smell and taste, which are common COVID-19 symptoms, were not reported in our sample, likely due to baseline loss of smell and taste being common baseline symptoms in this patient population. Metabolic encephalopathy was a common presentation of COVID-19 in those with PD dementia and associated with high mortality.

« Back to MDS Virtual Congress 2021

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/central-and-peripheral-neurological-manifestations-of-covid-19-in-a-cohort-of-patients-with-parkinsons-disease/