There have been several reported cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) infection that were associated with an increased incidence of neurological manifestations, including Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS). This review aims to present information on the reports of GBS associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Our review is retrospective work examining articles published from the 1 April 2020 to the 8 May 2021 in the English language. We used the diagnostic criteria and classification published by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and Brighton Collaboration. GBS is usually a postinfectious syndrome, but GBS in the COVID-19 pandemic also takes on a para-infectious profile. In the reports, the genetic factor has a role in developing GBS in some patients. In conclusion, the association between COVID-19 and GBS is not very clear. Still, one mechanism is strongly associated with COVID-19 and immune-mediated neurological complications, which is molecular mimicry between SARS-CoV-2 and human autoantigens.

Objectives In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of neurological signs, symptoms, and complications in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. We also sought to explore the general characteristics of stroke patients in particular. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted among COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized between April-September 2020 at the Al-Noor Specialist Hospital in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia. The study included patients who were aged ≥18 years and presented with or were reported to have any neurological manifestations and/or complications secondary to COVID-19 infection. Results A total of 79 patients were included. The mean age of the cohort was 63.6 years, with a significant male predominance (67.1%). The most commonly reported neurological signs and symptoms were altered level of consciousness (45.9%), dizziness (11.5%), and focal neurological deficit (10.4%). Acute ischemic stroke was seen in 18 patients. Most of them were males (66.7%). Most strokes were in the right middle cerebral artery territory (MCA) (50.0%). Diabetic patients were four times more at risk to develop stroke [odds ratio (OR)=3.76; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-29.9]. Patients with respiratory failure were 21 times more likely to have a stroke (OR=21.3; 95% CI: 2.2-54.6). Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome recorded a three-fold increased risk for developing stroke (OR=2.96; 95% CI: 1.25-37.3). Critically ill patients had double the risk of stroke (OR=1.8; 95% CI: 1.1-6.9). Other neurological complications were hemorrhagic stroke (3.3%), subacute/chronic infarction (23.3%), meningitis (10%), and brain mass lesion (3.3%). Conclusions Neurological symptoms and complications are not uncommon among COVID-19 patients. Most of these patients had poor outcomes. Acute ischemic stroke was the most common finding on neuroimaging.

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Objective: This study aims to evaluate knowledge and awareness toward surgical treatment of epilepsy among medical students at Umm Al-Qura University. Methods: A survey composed of 10 questions was distributed to medical students concerning surgical neurological disorders. It was used to collect data from 401 samples. Questions addressed general knowledge of epilepsy surgery and drug-resistant epilepsy, students’ attitude toward epilepsy surgery, and techniques. The chi-square test was utilized. Results: The familiar surgical techniques were lobectomy (11.2%), followed by hemispherotomy (8.2%). The term “drug-resistant epilepsy” was known to 24.4%. More than half of the students 259 (64.6%) would refer patients with drug-resistant epilepsy to a neurosurgeon and neurologist, knowledge and awareness of epilepsy surgery were high for 30.7% of students. Statistically, significant relationship was observed between the level of awareness and academic years ( p = 0.000131). Conclusions: Medical students have a positive attitude toward epilepsy surgery. Students are less aware of drug resistance in epilepsy. Knowledge and awareness were better among students at higher levels. We conclude that highlighting the importance of epilepsy surgery should be continued. Moreover, additional educational effort should be invested in expressing the term drug-resistant epilepsy.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is rising health problem with an estimated 6.4% in Saudi Arabia. 80% of dementia cases are caused by AD and usually patients diagnosed at late stages. This study intends to measure the knowledge of Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) undergraduate medical students regarding AD. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out using an online questionnaire disrupted among medical students. The questionnaire included two sections the first is about demographic data, the second assesses the knowledge related to AD and consisted of 30 true and false items. Results:The total sample number in this study was 332 (54.8% male, while 45.2% were female). The total mean score for this study was 14.12 and most of them (59%) had poor knowledge level regarding AD. Conclusion: This study shows the level of knowledge toward Alzheimer's disease is insufficient amongst medical students at UQU. Meanwhile, a higher academic year is linked to a better level of knowledge. Therefore, focused directed teaching is important to benefit students to develop their knowledge that allows them to do appropriate clinical evaluation by history and physical examination to reach the diagnosis.

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Background: Mental illness is a term use to prescribe a variety of diseases that characterized by abnormal thoughts or behavior or mood of the affected individual. This survey based study aimed to determine the influence of mental illness and poor psychiatric monitoring programs on mind of medical students attending Umm Al-Qura University. Methods: This is a survey based study conducted in June 2022 that utilized an online questionnaire designed in Google Form. The study included all medical students in their second to sixth year at Umm-Al-Qura University. Results: There were 410 total students who participated in this study. About three quarters of the students were males (73.7%) and most of them were Saudis (97.3%). More than half of students were aged <22 years (59.6%). In general, 11.7% of students had been diagnosed with a mental health condition and 8.3% of students had received medications for mental health conditions. Additionally, 11.2% of students were following-up with a mental health specialist (psychiatrist or psychologist) and 8.3% of students were receiving medications for mental health conditions at the time. Conclusion: Our data shows that having a mental illness can have a negative effect on students' academic performance.Importantly, competent psychiatric monitoring programs can minimize the influence of mental illness.

Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, mainly in children. The signs and symptoms of ADHD include inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Consequently, Childhood Absence Epilepsy (CAE) tends to present in children with sudden and recurrent episodes of loss of awareness alongside symptoms that occasionally include clonic, atonic, and simple automatisms. The present study evaluates parents' knowledge in Makkah regarding the difference between ADHD and CAE.Methodology: The study was conducted among Saudi Arabian parents living in Makkah. Data were collected in April 2022 through the use of an online survey that was distributed electronically via social media platforms. The inclusion criteria entailed parents from different socio-economic backgrounds. In contrast, the exclusion criteria entailed parents who had not been involved in raising their children and those with children with intellectual disabilities. A group of consultants was tasked with validating all data collected through an original questionnaire. To effectively calculate the study sample size, OpenEpi Version 3.01 was used. Lastly, all statistical analyses were conducted with Stata Social Sciences (SPSS®) software for Mac, version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).Results: A total of 633 participants completed the survey. Of the total respondents, approximately 1% indicated having a good knowledge level, 15.17% indicated having moderate knowledge, and the remaining 84% indicated poor knowledge of the subject under study. Approximately 46% of the participants reported that social media was the primary source of information. One significant issue regards the observation that the parent's level of education was statistically associated with the level of knowledge.Conclusion: There is limited awareness of the difference between (ADHD) and (CAE) among parents in the pediatric population. These findings highlight an opportunity to raise awareness using well-organized education programs in Makkah City.