Long-term neurological dysfunction associated with COVID-19: Lessons from influenza and inflammatory diseases?

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Neuroscience

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the emergence of
• long-COVID,
• characterized by persistent neurological symptoms.
• Research into influenza offers insights into potential long-term neurological consequences of viral respiratory infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and highlight commonalities in the neurological impacts of influenza and COVID-19.
• To explore shared underlying mechanisms of neurological sequelae.
• To compare historical and modern examples of neurological effects.

Main Methods:

• Literature review comparing neurological impacts of influenza and COVID-19.
• Focus on potential mechanisms: viral neurotropism and peripheral inflammation.
• Discussion of cognitive impairment, fatigue, depression, and anxiety.

Main Results:

• Influenza and COVID-19 share neurological sequelae, including cognitive impairment, fatigue, depression, and anxiety.
• Common underlying mechanisms include viral neurotropism and dysregulated peripheral inflammation.
• Heightened peripheral inflammation leading to central nervous system dysfunction is a key shared pathway.

Conclusions:

• Comparisons between influenza and COVID-19 neurological impacts are valuable for long-COVID research.
• Understanding shared mechanisms can guide future studies on long-COVID neuropathology.
• These insights may foreshadow long-term brain health outcomes for COVID-19 survivors.