Abstract
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease, caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), that reached pandemic proportions in 2020. Despite the fact that it was initially characterized by pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, it is now clear that the nervous system is also compromised in one third of these patients. Indeed, a significant proportion of COVID-19 patients suffer nervous system damage via a plethora of mechanisms including hypoxia, coagulopathy, immune response to the virus, and the direct effect of SARS-CoV-2 on endothelial cells, neurons, astrocytes, pericytes and microglia. Additionally, a low number of previously healthy individuals develop a variety of neurological complications after receiving COVID-19 vaccines and a large proportion of COVID-19 survivors experience longlasting neuropsychiatric symptoms. In conclusion, COVID-19 is also a neurological disease, and the direct and indirect effects of the virus on the nervous system have a significant impact on the morbidity and mortality of these patients. Here we will use the concept of the neurovascular unit, assembled by endothelial cells, basement membrane, perivascular astrocytes, neurons and microglia, to review the effects of SARS-CoV-2 in the nervous system. We will then use this information to review data published to this date on the neurological manifestations of COVID-19, the post- COVID syndrome and COVID-19 vaccines.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.