Neuropathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 has recently emerged as a serious jolt to human life and economy. Initial knowledge established pulmonary complications as the chief symptom, however, the neurological aspect of the disease is also becoming increasingly evident. Emerging reports of encephalopathies and similar ailments with the detection of the virus in the CSF has elicited an urgent need for investigating the possibility of neuroinvasiveness of the virus, which cannot be ruled out given the expression of low levels of ACE2 receptors in the brain. Sensory impairments of the olfactory and gustatory systems have also been reported in a large proportion of the cases, indicating the involvement of the peripheral nervous system. Hence, the possibility of neurological damage caused by the virus demands immediate attention and investigation of the mechanisms involved, so as to customize the treatment of patients presenting with neurological complications.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; brain; epidemiology; global health; human; neurological disorder; neuroscience; neurotropic behaviour; stroke.

Figure 1.. Schematic diagram showing the possible routes of neuroinvasiveness of SARS-CoV-2.