Neurological Consequences of COVID-19 Infection

TL;DR

This paper reviews the neurological effects of COVID-19, exploring potential mechanisms and emphasizing the increased risks for patients with pre-existing neurological conditions, highlighting a possible future rise in neurodegenerative diseases.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of COVID-19's neurological impact and discusses potential mechanisms, emphasizing the need for targeted protection of vulnerable neurological patients.

Findings

COVID-19 may cause neurological symptoms through immune activation and hypoxia.

Patients with chronic neurological diseases are at higher risk during COVID-19.

Potential for increased neurodegenerative disease burden post-pandemic.

Abstract

COVID-19 infections have well described systemic manifestations, especially respiratory problems. There are currently no specific treatments or vaccines against the current strain. With higher case numbers, a range of neurological symptoms are becoming apparent. The mechanisms responsible for these are not well defined, other than those related to hypoxia and microthrombi. We speculate that sustained systemic immune activation seen with SARS-CoV-2 may also cause secondary autoimmune activation in the CNS. Patients with chronic neurological diseases may be at higher risk because of chronic secondary respiratory disease and potentially poor nutritional status. Here, we review the impact of COVID-19 on people with chronic neurological diseases and potential mechanisms. We believe special attention to protecting people with neurodegenerative disease is warranted. We are concerned about a possible delayed pandemic in the form of an increased burden of neurodegenerative disease after acceleration of pathology by systemic COVID-19 infections.