A new database will collect information from clinicians about COVID-19 related neurological symptoms, complications, and outcomes as well as COVID-19 effects on pre-existing neurological conditions. The COVID-19 Neuro Databank/Biobank (NeuroCOVID), which was created and will be maintained by NYU Langone Health in New York City, will be a resource of clinical information as well as biospecimens from people of all ages who have experienced neurological problems associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The database is supported by the National institutes of Health’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

“We know that COVID-19 can disrupt multiple body systems but the effects of the virus and the body’s response to COVID-19 infection on the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles can be particularly devastating, and contribute to persistence of disability even after the virus is cleared,” said Barbara Karp, M.D., program director at NINDS. There is an urgent need to understand COVID-19 related neurological problems, which not uncommonly include headaches, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, stroke, pain, and sleep disorders as well as some very rare complications of serious infections.

NeuroCOVID can be accessed by scientists for research studies on preventing, managing, and treating neurological complications associated with COVID-19. The database may provide insight into how COVID-19 affects the nervous system, and how common or rare such complications are. NeuroCOVID is supported by NINDS (NS113844-0151). For more information please visit https://covid19.nih.gov.

Stay the course, stay well, mask up, get vaccinated, and stay tuned!