Neurocognitive consequences in the epidemiological emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, from the social neuroscience perspective

Abstract

COVID-19 is a pandemic confronted around the world, directly or indirectly affecting many countries. For this reason, it is important to analyze its neurocognitive consequences from a social neuroscience approach. We start from the premise that a person's neurocognitive area is reflected in processes related to memory, attention, reasoning, language, consciousness, and executive function. These may be modified by external stimulation, in this case, the crisis caused by the disease itself, but also the stresses related to the pandemic, the impact on the economy, changes in school or work, confinement, social distancing, corruption, etc.

With a qualitative approach, using as a tool the compilation of prior studies on the topic and seen from an epistemological approach, the impact of stress is clear with changes in areas such as social perception, mirror neurons, theory of mind, self-consciousness, self-reflection, self-concept, memory, emotional self-regulation, social relationships, social rejection, and resilience.

Therefore, the neurocognitive consequences of COVID-19 require a multi-disciplinary perspective, to contribute successfully and comprehensively to addressing the pandemic in all areas of health.