COVID-19 and neurodegenerative diseases

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Infectious Diseases
• Pathology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, presents diverse neurological complications beyond typical respiratory symptoms.
• Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to pose global health challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of the relationship between COVID-19 and neurodegenerative diseases.
• To explore potential mechanisms linking SARS-CoV-2 infection to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
• To identify future research directions and areas of concern.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search of major scientific databases (Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar).
• Keywords included COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, neurodegenerative disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
• Critical analysis of retrieved articles to synthesize findings.

Main Results:

• SARS-CoV-2 demonstrates neuroinvasive properties, entering the central nervous system (CNS) via the ACE2 receptor pathway.
• Mechanisms such as neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction are implicated in SARS-CoV-2-related neurodegeneration.
• The virus can potentially increase the incidence and accelerate the progression of neurodegenerative conditions.

Conclusions:

• Patients with pre-existing neurodegenerative diseases exhibit increased susceptibility and mortality risk from COVID-19.
• SARS-CoV-2 infection poses a significant threat to CNS health, potentially triggering or exacerbating neurodegenerative processes.
• Further research is crucial to understand and mitigate the long-term neurological consequences of COVID-19.