Dissecting the Molecular Mechanisms Surrounding Post-COVID-19 Syndrome and Neurological Features

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS), or long COVID, presents persistent symptoms impacting survivors' quality of life.
• Understanding PCS mechanisms is crucial for developing diagnostics, biomarkers, and effective treatments.
• Similarities exist between PCS and symptoms following previous SARS epidemics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the prevalence and manifestations of PCS.
• To investigate molecular mechanisms underlying neurological features of PCS.
• To identify potential therapeutic targets for PCS-related neurological dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on PCS, long COVID, and SARS epidemics.
• Analysis of molecular pathways implicated in neurological symptoms.
• Focus on neural mechanisms including glutamate transport, NMDA receptors, ROS signaling, and hypothalamic networks.

Main Results:

• Identified key molecular targets such as EAAT2, NMDA receptors, and NF-κB signaling.
• Highlighted the potential role of astrogliosis and reactive gliosis in CNS injury.
• Emphasized the involvement of KNDy neurons and hypothalamic networks in PCS.

Conclusions:

• Neurological manifestations of PCS may involve reactive gliosis and hypothalamic network dysfunction.
• Specific molecular pathways offer potential targets for pharmacological intervention in long COVID.
• Further research into these mechanisms can guide the development of targeted therapies for PCS.