Josef Finsterer received his M.D. and Prof. of Neurology from the University of Vienna, Austria. Since his training as a clinical neurologist and electrophysiologist at the Neurological Krankenhaus Rosenhuegel and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Epilepsy and Neuromuscular Disorders he is involved in the management of neuromuscular disorders, particularly muscular dystrophies and metabolic myopathies. In addition to neuromuscular disorders, research interests focus on genetics, orphan diseases, and cardiac involvement in genetic conditions.
"Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are not free of side effects and most commonly affect the central or peripheral nervous system (CNS, PNS). This narrative review aims to summarise recent advances in the nature, frequency, management, and outcome of neurological side effects from SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. CNS disorders triggered by SARS-CoV-2 vaccines include headache, cerebro-vascular disorders (venous sinus thrombosis [VST], ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid bleeding, reversible, cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, vasculitis, pituitary apoplexy, Susac syndrome), inflammatory diseases (encephalitis, meningitis, demyelinating disorders, transverse myelitis), epilepsy, and a number of other rarely reported CNS conditions. PNS disorders related to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines include neuropathy of cranial nerves, mono- / polyradiculitis (Guillain–Barre syndrome [GBS]), Parsonage–Turner syndrome (plexitis), small fiber neuropathy, myasthenia, myositis/dermatomyositis, rhabdomyolysis, and a number of other conditions. The most common neurological side effects are facial palsy, intracerebral hemorrhage, VST, and GBS. The underlying pathophysiology is poorly understood, but several speculations have been generated to explain the development of CNS/PNS disease after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. In conclusion, neurological side effects develop with any type of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and are diverse, can be serious and even fatal, and should be taken seriously to initiate early treatment and improve outcome and avoid fatalities...
Results
In most studies female preponderance of neurological side effects was reported. In a study of 60 patients with venous sinus thrombosis (VST) due to a SC2V [SARS-CoV-2], 75% were female. According to a multicentre study on 4,478 healthcare workers from Sri Lanka, low age and female sex were associated with an increased frequency of developing systemic reactions to vaccination with the Astra Zeneca vaccine (AZV)...
Discussion
This review shows that the spectrum of neurological side effects of SC2Vs is broad, ranging in severity from mild to severe, and that the outcome ranges from full recovery to death. Most of these neurological side effects are due to the physiological or an enhanced immune response to the vaccine or its components."
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