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Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the nervous system
, 2, 1
Affiliations- Depertment of Neurology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland
open access
Abstract
Introduction. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is the largest global public health struggle. The spread of the novel coronavirus had resulted in almost 7 million deaths worldwide by January 2023.
State of the art. The most common symptoms during the acute phase of COVID-19 are respiratory. However, many individuals present various neurological deficits at different stages of the infection. Furthermore, there are post-infectious complications that can be present within weeks after the initial symptoms. Both the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS, respectively) can be affected. Many potential mechanisms and hypotheses regarding the neuropathology behind COVID-19 have been proposed.
Clinical implications. The distribution of neurological symptoms during COVID-19 infection among studies differs greatly, which is mostly due to differing inclusion criteria. One of the most significant is incidence involving CNS circulation. In this review, we present basic information regarding the novel coronavirus, the possible routes along which the pathogen can reach the nervous system, neuropathology mechanisms, and neurological symptoms following COVID-19.
Future directions. It seems that many factors, resulting both from the properties of the virus and from systemic responses to infection, play a role in developing neurological symptoms. The long-term effect of the virus on the nervous system is still unknown.
Abstract
Introduction. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is the largest global public health struggle. The spread of the novel coronavirus had resulted in almost 7 million deaths worldwide by January 2023.
State of the art. The most common symptoms during the acute phase of COVID-19 are respiratory. However, many individuals present various neurological deficits at different stages of the infection. Furthermore, there are post-infectious complications that can be present within weeks after the initial symptoms. Both the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS, respectively) can be affected. Many potential mechanisms and hypotheses regarding the neuropathology behind COVID-19 have been proposed.
Clinical implications. The distribution of neurological symptoms during COVID-19 infection among studies differs greatly, which is mostly due to differing inclusion criteria. One of the most significant is incidence involving CNS circulation. In this review, we present basic information regarding the novel coronavirus, the possible routes along which the pathogen can reach the nervous system, neuropathology mechanisms, and neurological symptoms following COVID-19.
Future directions. It seems that many factors, resulting both from the properties of the virus and from systemic responses to infection, play a role in developing neurological symptoms. The long-term effect of the virus on the nervous system is still unknown.
Keywords
COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, nervous system, stroke, long-COVID
About this articleTitle
Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the nervous system
Journal
Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska
Issue
Article type
Review Article
Pages
26-35
Published online
2023-02-16
Page views
3293
Article views/downloads
1311
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2023;57(1):26-35.
Keywords
COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2
nervous system
stroke
long-COVID
Authors
Agata Czarnowska
Joanna Zajkowska
Alina Kułakowska
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