INFLUENCE OF COVID-19 ON THE CNS

Abstract

The pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2), has generated huge problems and inquiries in healthcare systems around the world. Several studies are emerging to prove the capacity of coronavirus neurotropism and its short and long-term consequences. Therefore, here, we aim to give information about the relationship between coronavirus and central nervous system in different aspects. The present study was conducted on search of the published studies available in NCBI; PubMed, MEDLINE, Scielo and Google Scholar for all kind of articles using keywords related to coronavirus and central nervous system. In addition to the most common symptoms of COVID-19 that are fever, cough, dyspnea and myalgia, anosmia and ageusia also have a high incidence in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Brain invasion by coronavirus, that had previously been related with glial cells, has been reported, as well as evidence that confirm the frequency and three times higher prevalence of cerebrovascular diseases in patients affected by COVID-19. Understanding the effects that the coronavirus may have on the central nervous system is essential to learn more about the possible consequences of COVID-19. It is known that the disease can cause neurological complications and the understanding of these processes may help in the detection of viral presence and in the appropriate treatment for these patients. It is hoped that soon there will be more ways to continue to deepen this knowledge.