Neuropathologists play a key role in establishing the extent of COVID-19 in human patients.

SARS-CoV2 infection causes COVID-19, and represents the most emergent health care crisis of our generation. Ample evidence in the scientific literature suggests that SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and endemic human coronaviruses infect brain cells. We delineate a rationale for encouraging evaluation of the brain, and in particular the brainstem, in COVID-19 so that potential neuropathological mechanisms can be delineated.