A new review of a number of studies shows that, in rare cases, monkeypox can cause serious neurological complications, including seizures and brain inflammation. The review report was published online in the journal eClinicalMedicine. The conclusion is based on an analysis of 19 studies conducted in the U.S., the U.K. and countries in Africa. All of the studies used data collected before the recent monkeypox outbreak that began in May. Researchers caution that it is unclear whether the experience of past outbreaks is applicable to the current one because the types of viruses, medical care and patient profiles can vary considerably. Scientists say monkeypox is considered a skin disease, but smallpox, a related viral infection, is associated with serious neurological complications, so they decided to find out if monkeypox had anything similar. Just over 1,500 patients participated in the study, of whom just over 1,000 were confirmed to have monkeypox infection. Researchers determined that depression and anxiety were common symptoms among patients who had had monkeypox, as were muscle aches, fatigue and headaches. As for rarer symptoms, the study authors noted that not all of the studies reviewed contained data on all types of neurological complications. But by combining the data, the research team eventually estimated the risk of seizures at 2.7%, the risk of confusion at 2.4%, and the risk of developing disabling encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) at 2%. The researchers noted that most of the patients who had brain inflammation were hospitalized at the time and were therefore already seriously ill. That said, the review did not find that severe complications were unique to very vulnerable groups. Meanwhile, the researchers note that those who were at risk during this latest outbreak would have acted wisely by using the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine.