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Review
. 2020 Dec 10:8:605972.
doi: 10.3389/fcell.2020.605972. eCollection 2020.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2-Induced Neurological Complications

Shijia Yu  1 , Mingjun Yu  2
Affiliations
Review

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2-Induced Neurological Complications

Shijia Yu et al. Front Cell Dev Biol. .

Abstract

Our review aims to highlight the neurological complications of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and the available treatments according to the existing literature, discussing the underlying mechanisms. Since the end of 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has induced a worldwide pandemic that has threatened numerous lives. Fever, dry cough, and respiratory symptoms are typical manifestations of COVID-19. Recently, several neurological complications of the central and peripheral nervous systems following SARS-CoV-2 infection have gained clinicians' attention. Encephalopathy, stroke, encephalitis/meningitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and multiple sclerosis are considered probable neurological signs of COVID-19. The virus may invade the nervous system directly or induce a massive immune inflammatory response via a "cytokine storm." Specific antiviral drugs are still under study. To date, immunomodulatory therapies and supportive treatment are the predominant strategies. In order to improve the management of COVID-19 patients, it is crucial to monitor the onset of new neurological complications and to explore drugs/vaccines targeted against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Keywords: ACE2; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; inflammation; neurological complications.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
SARS-CoV-2-associated neurological impairments.
Figure 2
Figure 2
SARS-CoV-2 invades into human cells via the ACE2 receptor and then replicates to cause immunomodulatory disorder through a cytokine storm.
Figure 3
Figure 3
SARS-CoV-2 leads to neurological disorders via different pathways.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Neurological complications of COVID-19.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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