COVID-19 Neurological Disease: a Global Meta-Analysis and Prospective Case Control Study in Brazil, India and Malawi.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Department Name: Institute of Infection and Global Health
Abstract
Most patients with COVID-19 have cough and breathing problems. However, we are now seeing patients with neurological (brain) disease too. We want to understand why to help us improve treatment.
1. Doctors are publishing reports of single or small groups of patients, or registries. These describe patients in different ways using different definitions. This means it is hard to see the full range of brain disease. Through our global network, we will pull together data from all patients (published or not) to produce a single large report.
2. We want to understand why some patients with COVID-19 get neurological disease. We will therefore conduct a study in Brazil, India and Malawi. We will compare patients with and without neurological disease, to identify risk factors for neurological disease. We are especially interested in those factors which could be treated, such as lack of oxygen in the blood.
3. We will also look at outcomes for neurological patients, again looking at factors associated with a bad outcome.
4. We have a strong Patient, Public and Community Engagement and Involvement Programme, and good links to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and national policymakers. These will help to ensure our information rapidly informs clinical guidelines to improve patient management and save lives.
5. We will also train doctors and scientists in such research to improve their knowledge and skills, and build capacity.
1. Doctors are publishing reports of single or small groups of patients, or registries. These describe patients in different ways using different definitions. This means it is hard to see the full range of brain disease. Through our global network, we will pull together data from all patients (published or not) to produce a single large report.
2. We want to understand why some patients with COVID-19 get neurological disease. We will therefore conduct a study in Brazil, India and Malawi. We will compare patients with and without neurological disease, to identify risk factors for neurological disease. We are especially interested in those factors which could be treated, such as lack of oxygen in the blood.
3. We will also look at outcomes for neurological patients, again looking at factors associated with a bad outcome.
4. We have a strong Patient, Public and Community Engagement and Involvement Programme, and good links to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and national policymakers. These will help to ensure our information rapidly informs clinical guidelines to improve patient management and save lives.
5. We will also train doctors and scientists in such research to improve their knowledge and skills, and build capacity.
Technical Summary
Building on our NIHR Global Health Research Group on Acute Brain Infections ("Brain Infections Global" or, "BIGlobal"), which we have recently repurposed to start understanding COVID-19 neurology, we will:
1. Conduct an individual patient data meta-analysis of patients with COVID-19associated neurological disease, identified through the BIGlobal COVID-Neuro Network to define the full spectrum of manifestations.
2. Establish a prospective case control study of hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Brazil, India and Malawi, comparing those with neurological disease to those patients without neurological disease, focusing on risk factors which may be modifiable.
3. Examine outcomes of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 associated neurological disease, looking for prognostic factors associated with a poor outcome.
4. Building on our strong Patient, Public and Community Engagement and Involvement Programme, and close relationship with WHO and national policymakers, use the information from 1, 2, and 3, above to develop national and international clinical care guidelines to improve patient outcomes and reduce disability.
5. Strengthen capacity for emerging brain infections research in partner countries.
The case control study will test the primary hypothesis that among hospitalised patients with COVID-19, acute neurological disease is associated with hypoxia. The meta-analysis, case control study, and work with policymakers will run in parallel, to ensure rapid delivery of the changes needed to impact on practice. The study builds on 25 years of research on brain and emerging infections from the Liverpool group, much of which has been translated into new policy and practice.
1. Conduct an individual patient data meta-analysis of patients with COVID-19associated neurological disease, identified through the BIGlobal COVID-Neuro Network to define the full spectrum of manifestations.
2. Establish a prospective case control study of hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Brazil, India and Malawi, comparing those with neurological disease to those patients without neurological disease, focusing on risk factors which may be modifiable.
3. Examine outcomes of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 associated neurological disease, looking for prognostic factors associated with a poor outcome.
4. Building on our strong Patient, Public and Community Engagement and Involvement Programme, and close relationship with WHO and national policymakers, use the information from 1, 2, and 3, above to develop national and international clinical care guidelines to improve patient outcomes and reduce disability.
5. Strengthen capacity for emerging brain infections research in partner countries.
The case control study will test the primary hypothesis that among hospitalised patients with COVID-19, acute neurological disease is associated with hypoxia. The meta-analysis, case control study, and work with policymakers will run in parallel, to ensure rapid delivery of the changes needed to impact on practice. The study builds on 25 years of research on brain and emerging infections from the Liverpool group, much of which has been translated into new policy and practice.
Publications
Michael BD
(2023)
Consensus Clinical Guidance for Diagnosis and Management of Adult COVID-19 Encephalopathy Patients.
in The Journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences
Netravathi M
(2022)
COVID-19 vaccine associated demyelination & its association with MOG antibody.
in Multiple sclerosis and related disorders
Patterson EI
(2020)
Methods of Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 for Downstream Biological Assays.
in The Journal of infectious diseases
Perry RJ
(2021)
Cerebral venous thrombosis after vaccination against COVID-19 in the UK: a multicentre cohort study.
in Lancet (London, England)
Ray S
(2021)
Neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalised children and adolescents in the UK: a prospective national cohort study
in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health
Scully M
(2021)
Pathologic Antibodies to Platelet Factor 4 after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccination.
in The New England journal of medicine
Singh B
(2024)
The COVID guidelines India project: A rapid living evidence synthesis during a pandemic in a LMIC setting
in Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health
| Title | Covid for Kids |
| Description | The show follows the adventures of Corry the Coronavirus who causes chaos and misery around the work until brought under control by the Science Superheroes. Along the way the audience will learn why viruses emerge, what happens in a pandemic, and how such threats can be tackled in the future. |
| Type Of Art | Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | The pandemic has been a really tough time for children. Their lives have been turned upside during the pandemic through no fault of their own. In the show we have a lot of fun, whilst also dealing with the all the questions going through children's minds. |
| Description | Background Neurological COVID-19 disease has been reported widely, but published studies often lack information on neurological outcomes and prognostic risk factors. We aimed to describe the spectrum of neurological disease in hospitalised COVID-19 patients; characterise clinical outcomes; and investigate factors associated with a poor outcome. Methods We conducted an individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis of hospitalised patients with neurological COVID-19 disease, using standard case definitions. We invited authors of studies from the first pandemic wave, plus clinicians in the Global COVID-Neuro Network with unpublished data, to contribute. We analysed features associated with poor outcome (moderate to severe disability or death, 3 to 6 on the modified Rankin Scale) using multivariable models. Results We included 83 studies (31 unpublished) providing IPD for 1979 patients with COVID-19 and acute new-onset neurological disease. Encephalopathy (978 [49%] patients) and cerebrovascular events (506 [26%]) were the most common diagnoses. Respiratory and systemic symptoms preceded neurological features in 93% of patients; one third developed neurological disease after hospital admission. A poor outcome was more common in patients with cerebrovascular events (76% [95% CI 67-82]), than encephalopathy (54% [42-65]). Intensive care use was high (38% [35-41]) overall, and also greater in the cerebrovascular patients. In the cerebrovascular, but not encephalopathic patients, risk factors for poor outcome included breathlessness on admission and elevated D-dimer. Overall, 30-day mortality was 30% [27-32]. The hazard of death was comparatively lower for patients in the WHO European region. Interpretation Neurological COVID-19 disease poses a considerable burden in terms of disease outcomes and use of hospital resources from prolonged intensive care and inpatient admission; preliminary data suggest these may differ according to WHO regions and country income levels. The different risk factors for encephalopathy and stroke suggest different disease mechanisms which may be amenable to intervention, especially in those who develop neurological symptoms after hospital admission |
| Exploitation Route | We have shown that encephalopathy and stroke are the most commonly reported neurological manifestations of COVID-19, with the latter group having a worse outcome, as judged by the mRS. Nearly 40% of patients needed intensive care, and the burden in terms of prolonged intensive care and hospital stay was higher than for other hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Markers of disease severity such as breathlessness and elevated D-dimer were associated with poor outcome in the cerebrovascular event, but not the encephalopathic, patients, suggesting different disease mechanisms. For one third of the patients, the neurological symptoms started after hospital admission, providing a potential window for intervention if risk factors and neurological disease mechanisms were better understood. Prospective case-control studies across multiple WHO regions are needed to better understand the factors leading to neurological COVID-19 and point to potential interventions. |
| Sectors | Healthcare |
| Description | Consultation on WHO discussion paper on 'Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders' |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | EAN-ESCMID Guidelines on Autoimmune Encephalitis |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or Improved professional practice |
| Description | EAN-ESCMID Guidelines on Infectious Encephalitis |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or Improved professional practice |
| Description | Member, Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens, Department of Health and Social Care |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Advises on all aspects of hazards and risks to workers and others from exposure to pathogens, such as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, arthropod-borne viruses, and emerging pathogens such as Ebola, Zika and SARS-CoV-2. |
| Description | Neurological complications of COVID-19 e-learning module |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Stakeholder event: Encephalitis as a public health priority |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | UK-China One Health for Epidemic Preparedness working group, 8th November 2022 |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | WHO Defeating meningitis by 2030 global road map |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | WHO Neuro-COVID surveillance group |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Identified knowledge gaps to be targeted by future research. |
| URL | https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-Sci-Brief-Neurology-2021.1 |
| Description | Why Encephalitis Matters: Meeting Report |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Recommendations to address global challenges posed by encephalitis published as meeting report. |
| URL | https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/366223 |
| Description | GCRF/Newton GNCA thematic uplift - Grant Ref: MR/V033441/1 |
| Amount | £46,466 (GBP) |
| Organisation | United Kingdom Research and Innovation |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2022 |
| End | 03/2023 |
| Description | Senior Investigator |
| Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | National Institute for Health Research |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2023 |
| End | 03/2026 |
| Title | Increased access to and quality of lab testing capacity to assist diagnosis beyond this study |
| Description | Increased access to and quality of lab testing capacity to assist diagnosis beyond this study |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Improved diagnostic testing capacity at our study sites |
| Description | Brain Infections Global |
| Organisation | Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) |
| Department | Fiocruz Pernambuco |
| Country | Brazil |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration on NIHR Global health Research Group |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration on NIHR Global health Research Group |
| Impact | see publications |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Centre for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| Organisation | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) |
| Department | Vector-borne diseases |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | (Marc Fischer, Susan Hills, Japanese encephalitis control, since 2008) |
| Collaborator Contribution | collaboration |
| Impact | SEE PUBLICATIONS |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, (FIOCRUZ) collaboration on Zika |
| Organisation | Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) |
| Country | Brazil |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration on Zika |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration on Zika |
| Impact | New publications, and grants, see other sections |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | The Global Health Network (TGHN) |
| Organisation | The Global Health Network |
| Country | Global |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | I am chairing a webinar series on Neurological Associations of COVID-19. My team is responsible for the scientific content of the series. My team has also convenied the virtual Liverpool Neurological Infectious Diseases Course. |
| Collaborator Contribution | TGHN is hosting the webinar and courses. |
| Impact | Webinar series: https://braininfectionsglobal.tghn.org/webinars/, attended by several hundred attendees globally. NeuroID course: https://braininfectionsglobal.tghn.org/brain-infections-global-training/liverpool-neurological-infectious-diseases-course/, attended by 560 attendees from 59 countries across all continents. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | 'Tackling emerging brain infections globally' at Intropicon, 9th June 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Tom presented 'Tackling emerging brain infections globally' at Intropicon in Peru on 9th June 2023. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | 17th International Symposium on NeuroVirology | 2021 Conference on HIV in the Nervous System - Plenary Talk, 2nd June 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | TS gave the plenary talk 'Neurological COVID - Causes, Complications, and Conundrums' at the 17th International Symposium on NeuroVirology | 2021 Conference on HIV in the Nervous System. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | http://isnv.org/virtual21/Agenda_ISNV_Virtual21.pdf |
| Description | Annual Meeting, 21st March 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Meeting in Recife, Brazil with representatives from each centre. Included scrutiny of interim results and dissemination plans. Policymaker, public and patients and training sessions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | BBC Breakfast Interview, 2nd February 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Tom Solomon appeared on BBC Breakfast in his capacity as Director of The Pandemic Institute. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | BBC One - Question Time |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Topical debate in which guests from the worlds of politics and the media answer questions posed by members of the public. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000ggsk/question-time-2020-19032020 |
| Description | BBC Radio Merseyside Interview with Roger Phillips, 19th August 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Tom Solomon was interviewed by Roger Phillips for BBC Radio Merseyside talking about his career. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | BNA2021 Festival of Neuroscience - COVID-19 and neuroscience talk, 14th April 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | TS gave a talk entitled 'Brain Infections Global COVID-Neuro Network' at Session two - Characterising COVID-19 with cohort studies: providing future evidence of the British Neuroscience Association conference. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://meetings.bna.org.uk/bna2021/programme_information/special-sessions/covid19/ |
| Description | BR?INCAST Podcast with Sotiris Posporelis and Dr Tom Pollack |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | BR?INCAST is a weekly 30-minute conversation with inspiring people from all around the world sharing their love about the most fascinating thing that happened to your headyour brain! From the microscopic magic of a molecular scientist to the all-encompassing worldview of a philosopher, from up-and-coming PhD students to well-established professors, BR?INCAST is open to everyone that's curious! Nah, it's not seriousthe brain is too interesting to be serious! Just cast your brain aside (see what I did there?) and enjoy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://maudsleylearning.com/webinars-podcasts/braincast-webinar/world-encephalitis-day-experts-take... |
| Description | Brain Infections Webinars |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The webinars are held monthly in conjunction with The Global Health Network and are open sessions for policy makers, academics and clinicians. Initially the focus was on Covid-19 but in recent months has moved to a variety of Brain Infections. The learning objective of these webinars is to gain insights into practice in different settings through knowledge exchange with fellow participants. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021,2022 |
| URL | https://braininfectionsglobal.tghn.org/covid-neuro/webinars/ |
| Description | Chaired and presented in the Neuroinfection Session at The Brain Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Tom Solomon presented 'Emerging Causes of Brain Infection' and chaired the Neuroinfection session at the 2021 Brain Conference. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://thebrainconference.co.uk/previous-conferences/ |
| Description | Covid for Kids - Barnes Children's Literature Festival, 27th June 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | This year's Barnes Children's Literature Festival presents particular challenges because of the pandemic. Luckily, Professor Tom Solomon an emerging infections expert at the centre of the UK response is on his way to Barnes with his new event, Covid for Kids at 1pm on Sunday 27th June, where you'll have the chance to ask him your questions! First up though, he answers a couple of ours! |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.barneskidslitfest.org/news/covid-for-kids-with-professor-tom-solomon/ |
| Description | Covid for Kids at the Cambridge Festival, 2nd April 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Tom performed his show, Covid for Kids, at the Cambridge Festival to an audience of young children. This interactive family show centres on the adventures of Corry the Coronavirus who travels around the world causing chaos and misery until she is brought under control by a team of Super Scientists. Along the way kids learn how and why viruses emerge, what happens in a pandemic, and how we can beat such threats in the future. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.festival.cam.ac.uk/events/covid-kids |
| Description | Covid for Kids at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 3rd - 16th August 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Tom performed his interactive family show, Covid for Kids, for 14 days straight at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://news.liverpool.ac.uk/2022/06/13/liverpool-professor-returns-to-edinburgh-fringe-with-covid-f... |
| Description | Covid for Kids at the Victoria Gallery & Museum, 12th January 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Tom Solomon workshopped his educational show, Covid for Kids, for local schoolchildren at the Victoria Gallery & Museum. This show later had a run at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Covid for Kids at the Victoria Gallery & Museum, 26th July 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Tom performed his interactive family show, Covid for Kids, at the VG&M for a new group of schoolchildren in advance of his run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Covid for Kids interview with Shelagh Fogarty |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Professor Tom Solomon discussing his new Covid for kids show |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5uqzqmWN_c&t=57s |
| Description | DAM Health Podcast, 6th September 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Tom joined as a guest on the DAM Health Podcast discussing The Pandemic Institute of which he is Director. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Ebola threat to UK and Africa: Pollock and Solomon - BBC News Interview, 12th July 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | BBC interview with Professor Tom Solomon and Andrew Neil discussing the crisis and the transmission. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ETB4QIIM90&t=27s |
| Description | Encephalitis Society House of Lords Changemakers Event, 27th October 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Tom Solomon participated in a Changemakers event at the House of Lords with the Encephalitis Society. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Granada Reports interview with Professor Tom Solomon discussing the impact in foreign aid reductio, 3rd July 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Granada Reports interview with Professor Tom Solomon, discussing the impact of funding cuts in scientific research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReNB93y0si4 |
| Description | How to handle the pandemic | Edinburgh Science Festival 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | In late 2019 reports of an unknown virus began to emerge from the Chinese province of Hubei. 18 months later, the world is still in the grip of the worst pandemic in living memory, with over 3 million lives lost. Governments around the world have deployed a range of strategies to steer their nations through the crisis - but who got it right? This event brings together international experts who have advocated different approaches to attempt to find out how to handle a pandemic Hosted by Director of the UK's Emerging Infections Research Unit Tom Solomon, join Chair of the WHO's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network Dale Fisher, behavioural scientist and Scottish government advisor Linda Bauld and epidemiologist Tim Spector for a keynote discussion. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyAgqn3tV1g |
| Description | ITV Granada Debate, 10th June 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Debate about local lockdowns, the spread of the variant, vaccinations and opening up on the 21st June. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FliX2m6bOg&t=44s |
| Description | James Bull Lecture at the British Society of Neuroradiologists Annual Conference, 6th October 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Tom Solomon gave his talk, Tackling Emerging Brain Infections - from Bangkok to Blackpool to Brazil and Back Again, as the James Bull Lecture at the British Society of Neuroradiologists Annual Conference at The Titanic Hotel. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | KER-POW! How the Science Superheroes Crushed the Coronavirus, RCP London, 23rd October 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Tom performed his show 'KER-POW! How the Science Superheroes Crushed the Coronavirus' at RCP London on 23rd October 2023. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Keynote at the Liverpool John Moores University Research Knowledge Exchange Conference, 7th December 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Tom Solomon gave the keynote speech, The Global Fight Against Emerging Infections, at the Liverpool John Moores University Research and Knowledge Exchange Conference. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Keynote speech at World Encephalitis Day Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Tom Solomon gave the keynote speech at the World Encephalitis Day Conference. He is President of the Encephalitis Society. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://wedconf.org/ |
| Description | Liverpool FC, Atletico Madrid, and the coronavirus outbreak - BBC Breakfast Interview, 17th March 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Professor Tom Solomon contributes to this BBC Breakfast piece on the controversy around the football match played between Liverpool FC and Atletico Madrid at Anfield, which meant Spanish football fans would travel from Madrid, which at the time was experiencing an outbreak of the coronavirus. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JozskflxlI |
| Description | NIMH Neurologic and Psychiatric Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Meeting Presentation, 14th July 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | TS presented a talk titled 'CNS Manifestations of COVID-19 ' in Session I: Clinical Neurologic and Psychiatric Manifestations of Acute COVID-19. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/media/2021/neurologic-and-psychiatric-effects-of-sars-cov-2-meeting-da... |
| Description | Prof Tom Solomon discusses the Commons Science and Technology Committee report BBC Breakfast News, 12th October 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Professor Tom Solomon, Professor of Neurology and Director of the UK Emerging Infections Research Unit at the University of Liverpool talks to Charlie Stayt and Sally Nugent with Anita Astle, Director of Wren Hall nursing homes discusses the lessons learned and the initial UK Government response to Covid-19, compared to that of countries who had experienced SARS, MARS and other health crises in a new Public Health report on BBC Breakfast News on Tuesday 12 October 2021. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BzzEqzAZbw |
| Description | Prof Tom Solomon discusses the new UK Government new Covid19 restrictions on BBC Breakfast News, 9th December 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Tom Solomon CBE, Professor of Neurology and Director of the UK Emerging Infections Research Unit at the University of Liverpool with Stephen Reicher, Professor of Social Psychology at the University of St. Andrews and member of the SAGE subcommittee talk to Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty about the UK Governments' new 'Plan B' Covid19 restrictions and how this intervention will mean lower community transmission of the new Omicron variant and fewer hospital admissions over the Festive season and beyond. Professors Solomon and Reicher also discuss the continued role of vaccination, self-isolation and ventilation in public settings in the run up to Christmas. Professor Solomon also re-emphasises the critical importance of vaccinating the rest of the world in the fight against new and emerging Covid19 variants. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqLFhAk2R0o |
| Description | Professor Tom Solomon featured on Roald Dahl Special - TRT Interview, 28th July 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Professor Tom Solomon talk about Roald Dahl and book 'Marvellous Medicine' and more. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSA1ofjRPnw&t=15s |
| Description | Radio 4 Interview Broadcasting House, 16th May 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | BBC Radio 4 Interview with Prof Tom Solomon and Paddy O'Connell 16th May 2021 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA5YCmAphz8&t=50s |
| Description | Radio 5 live Covid for Kids interview, 25th June 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Tom Solomon promoting his Barnes Children's Literature Festival show, Covid for Kids - a family-friendly interactive show |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPsGpG6fGkY&t=1s |
| Description | Roald Dahl Interview - Times Radio, 17th March 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Professor Tom Solomon appears on Times Radio to discuss To Olivia, Sky's recent drama about the tragic loss of Roald Dahl and Patricia Neal's daughter, Olivia. Hosted by Daniel Finkelstein and also featuring To Olivia's producer, Donall McCusker. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imvv1UDSknk |
| Description | Roald Dahl and some other Big Friendly Giants talk at the Wadham College Medics Event, 3rd September 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Tom gave his talk 'Roald Dahl and some other Big Friendly Giants' to fellow alumni at the Wadham College Medics reunion event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Scouse Science Podcast - Host |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Scouse Science Podcast In front of a live online audience, award-winning science communicator, doctor and researcher Professor Tom Solomon hosts a regular discussion of cutting-edge science in Liverpool and its wider impact on society. In each program, Tom talks with a leading researcher on the scientific progress being made and chats about the broader implications with a famous face. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021,2022 |
| URL | https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/health-and-life-sciences/engage-with-us/scouse-science/ |
| Description | Sunday Times Interview and Podcast Recording, 22nd February 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Tom Solomon was interviewed by the Sunday Times in his capacity as Director of The Pandemic Institute. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Talk at Shine Charity Club Meeting, 23rd March 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Tom joined the Shine Charity with whom he's worked before to give a Roald Dahl presentation to their members. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.shinecharity.org.uk |
| Description | The anniversary of the first coronavirus lockdown in the NorthWest - ITV News Interview, 24th March 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Professor Tom Solomon talks to Tim Scott, ITV News, on the anniversary of the first UK coronavirus lockdown, in a piece that looks back at the pandemic over the past year, and ahead to when the pandemic may end. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6dmUJS-6_I&t=10s |
| Description | The new Omicron variant - Prof Tom Solomon on BBC Breakfast News, 6th December 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Tom Solomon CBE, Professor of Neurology and Director of the UK Emerging Infections Research Unit at the University of Liverpool talks to Dan Walker and Sally Nugent about the current unknowns of the new Omicron variant and the challenge of tweaking the current Covid19 vaccines. Tom also discusses the critical importance of vaccination not only to protect the UK but to protect the rest of the world, especially lower income countries. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YygKbibxIQ |
| Description | The new tablet to treat COVID-19 - Prof Tom Solomon CBE on BBC Breakfast News, 5th November 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Tom Solomon CBE, Professor of Neurology and Director of the UK Emerging Infections Research Unit at the University of Liverpool talks to Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty about the newly-approved Covid-19 drug treatment; Molnupiravir, how it was developed, it's effects and efficacy and who should be taking it. Tom also explains how the new Public Health Government ventilation recommendations launched today can be adopted over the festive period. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0ZA2ccrx_o |
| Description | Tom Solomon CBE talks with Naga Munchetty & Charlie Stayt, BBC Breakfast, about his honour. 12th June 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Tom Solomon CBE is Naga and Charlie's first guest on the famous red sofa since the start of the pandemic, talking about receiving his award in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2021. 12th June 2021 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncAj6MKFjdQ&t=355s |
| Description | World Encephalitis Day Interview with BBC Radio Gloucestershire, 22nd February 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Tom Solomon joined BBC Radio Gloucestershire for an interview to promote awareness of World Encephalitis Day. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | World Encephalitis Day, 22nd February 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Contributing annually to this global campaign to raise awareness of encephalitis (led by PPI panel chair Ava Easton). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021,2022,2023 |
| Description | World Encephalitis Day, 22nd February 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Annual World Encephalitis Day organised by the Encephalitis Society of which Tom is President. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |