COVID-19 presenting with agraphia and conduction aphasia in a patient with left-hemisphere ischemic stroke.

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 following infection by SARS-CoV-2 can affect the brain causing confusion, depression, and dementia-like signs. Nonetheless, the presence of more specific neuropsychological signs because of COVID-19 remains unexplored. We report on LA, a patient who was affected by a left-hemisphere ischemic stroke, probably because of SARS-CoV-2. The patient showed a highly specific neuropsychological profile characterized by severe agraphia and some signs of conduction aphasia. All other cognitive and sensorimotor functions remained intact. We sustain that specific neuropsychological signs can be observed in patients with COVID-19. Therefore, in-depth and comprehensive neuropsychological assessment should be included to better explore and qualify the neuropsychological consequences of COVID-19. This is a new challenge for diagnosis and rehabilitation, with important consequences for the involved neuropsychological services.