Pre-coronavirus disease 2019 brain structure might be associated with social anxiety alterations during the pandemic

To the Editor:As the novel coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic rapidly spreads around the world,it has resulted in unprecedented economic loss,social turmoil,and detrimental effects on public mental health.In particular,the implementation of disease control measures such as nationwide lockdowns,social distancing,school closures,and home quarantine has given rise to a wide range of social anxiety(SA)around the world,from nonclinical manifestations to clinical social anxiety disorder(SAD).[1]Given the potentially severe impairments from SA and the limited mental health care resources,it is vital to identify whether there are vulnerability/risk neuropsychological factors contributing to the progression of SA during the pandemic.