NIH launches database to track neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19

New York City-based NYU Langone Health has developed NeuroCOVID, a COVID-19 Neuro Databank/Biobank intended to manage clinical information and biospecimens from people of all ages with neurological problems stemming from the novel coronavirus. The database is supported by NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Barbara Karp, MD, program director at NINDS, says: “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.” Health care providers and participating clinical sites nationwide may use the new portal to submit de-identified information into the database, along with relevant biospecimens gathered during research studies or from prior clinical procedures or tests. Information to be collected includes neurological symptoms, comorbidities, disease course, complications, sequelae, and outcomes. The portal uses a Global Unique Identifier to track data and biospecimens from each individual with no personally identifying information. Researchers can access NeuroCOVID to examine how to prevent, manage, and treat COVID-19-related neurological complications.