Background Coronaviruses mainly affect the respiratory system; however, there are reports of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV causing neurological manifestations. We aimed at discussing the various neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection and to estimate the prevalence of each of them. Methods We searched the following electronic databases; PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, Google Scholar, EBSCO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, WHO database, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Relevant MeSH terms for COVID-19 and neurological manifestations were used. Randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, case-control studies, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, case series, and case reports were included in the study. To estimate the overall proportion of each neurological manifestations, the study employed meta-analysis of proportions using a random-effects model. Results Pooled prevalence of each neurological manifestations are, smell disturbances (35.8%; 95% CI 21.4–50.2), taste disturbances (38.5%; 95%CI 24.0–53.0), myalgia (19.3%; 95% CI 15.1–23.6), headache (14.7%; 95% CI 10.4–18.9), dizziness (6.1%; 95% CI 3.1–9.2), and syncope (1.8%; 95% CI 0.9–4.6). Pooled prevalence of acute cerebrovascular disease was (2.3%; 95%CI 1.0–3.6), of which majority were ischaemic stroke (2.1%; 95% CI 0.9–3.3), followed by haemorrhagic stroke (0.4%; 95% CI 0.2–0.6), and cerebral venous thrombosis (0.3%; 95% CI 0.1–0.6). Conclusions Neurological symptoms are common in SARS-CoV-2 infection, and from the large number of cases reported from all over the world daily, the prevalence of neurological features might increase again. Identifying some neurological manifestations like smell and taste disturbances can be used to screen patients with COVID-19 so that early identification and isolation is possible.

The most effective antiseizure medications (ASMs) for poststroke seizures (PSSs) remain unclear. We aimed to determine outcomes associated with ASMs in people with PSS. We systematically searched electronic databases for studies on patients with PSS on ASMs. Our outcomes were seizure recurrence, adverse events, drug discontinuation rate, and mortality. We assessed the risk of bias using Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomized controlled trials and Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions tools. Using levetiracetam as the reference treatment, we conducted a frequentist network meta-analysis and determined the certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology. Our search yielded 15 studies (3 randomized, 12 nonrandomized, N = 18,676 patients (121 early and 18,547 late seizures), 60% male, mean age 69 years) comparing 13 ASMs. Three studies had moderate and 12 had high risk of bias. Seizure recurrence was 24.8%. Compared with levetiracetam, very low-certainty evidence suggested that phenytoin was associated with higher seizure recurrences (odds ratio [OR] 7.3, 95% CI 3.7-14.5) and more adverse events (OR 5.2, 95% CI 1.2-22.9). Low-certainty evidence suggested that carbamazepine (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.5-2.2) and phenytoin (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4-2.8) were associated with high drug discontinuation rates. Moderate to high-certainty evidence suggested that valproic acid (OR 4.7, 95% CI 3.6-6.3) and phenytoin (OR 8.3, 95% CI 5.7-11.9) were associated with higher mortality rates. Considering all treatments and using the GRADE approach for treatment ranking, very low-certainty evidence suggested that eslicarbazepine, lacosamide, and levetiracetam had the fewest seizure recurrences. Low to very low-certainty evidence suggested that lamotrigine had the fewest adverse events and drug discontinuations, whereas lamotrigine and levetiracetam exhibited low mortality rates with moderate-certainty evidence. We found that levetiracetam and lamotrigine may be safe and tolerable ASMs for PSS. Despite ASM use, the seizure recurrence rate remains high in the PSS population. Owing to bias and confounding risks, these findings should be interpreted cautiously. PROSPERO: CRD42022363844.