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Comment
. 2020;76(1):21-25.
doi: 10.3233/JAD-200537.

Potential Novel Role of COVID-19 in Alzheimer's Disease and Preventative Mitigation Strategies

Sean X Naughton  1 , Urdhva Raval  1 , Giulio M Pasinetti  1   2
Affiliations
Comment

Potential Novel Role of COVID-19 in Alzheimer's Disease and Preventative Mitigation Strategies

Sean X Naughton et al. J Alzheimers Dis. 2020.

Abstract

There are a number of potential implications for the field of Alzheimer's disease (AD) stemming from the global spread of SARS-CoV-2. Neuroinflammation is known to be a prominent feature of neurodegeneration and plays a major role in AD pathology. Immune response and excessive inflammation in COVID-19 may also accelerate the progression of brain inflammatory neurodegeneration, and elderly individuals are more susceptible to severe outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are at an increased risk for AD as well as severe outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Genetic and socioeconomic factors influencing the rates of T2D, AD, and COVID-19 severity may create an exceptionally high-risk profile for certain demographics such as African Americans and Hispanic Americans. Type I interferon response plays an important role in both host response to viral infection, as well as AD pathology and may be a sensible therapeutic target in both AD and COVID-19.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; amyloid.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Potential Interactions Between SARS-CoV-2 and Alzheimer’s Disease. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) acts as predisposing factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Elevations in blood glucose resulting from T2D may exacerbate pathology in both AD and COVID-19 or comorbidity of the two, through increased activity of Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5). Type I interferons (IFN) mediate inflammation after viral infection, and in response to nucleic acid containing amyloid fibrils, eventually leading to synaptic loss. Amyloid fibrils may entrap viral particles, leading to further enhancement of IFN response. Solid line arrows indicate proven mechanisms, dotted line arrows indicate theoretical mechanisms.
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