Title:Crosstalk Between Covid-19 and Associated Neurological Disorders: A Review
Volume: 19
Issue: 10
Author(s): Anu K. Ramachandran, Subham Das and Alex Joseph*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka-576104,India
Keywords:
COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, neurological complications, Guillain Barre syndrome, viral encephalitis, cerebrovascular
diseases.
Abstract: COVID-19 is a global pandemic, primarily affecting the pulmonary system but its effects
on other systems are not certain. Coronavirus, the causative organism, binds with angiotensinconverting
enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors in the lungs and produces pneumonia-like symptoms.
Other than lungs, ACE2 receptors are also seen in the endothelium of blood vessels. Therefore,
viruses can bind to the ACE2 that is present in the endothelium of brain blood vessels and thus can
invade BBB, leading to neuronal damage. It is also believed that olfactory cells rich in ACE2 receptors
may act as the main route of viral spread into various parts of the brain. The reported neurological
effects of SARS-CoV-2 include cerebrovascular diseases, ageusia and anosmia, Guillain Barre
Syndrome, and viral encephalitis. The extent of neurological involvement in SARS-CoV-2 infection
warrants the necessity of further research to systematically classify neurological complications
associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, its diagnosis, and treatment. As ACE2 receptors are present
in various other organs, it is obligatory to study the effect of coronavirus on other organs also.
Since the long-lasting effects of the COVID-19 are unclear, more studies should be conducted to
confirm the effect of the virus on the central nervous system. This review highlights the reported
neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 and its mechanism.
