Frontiers in Neuroanatomy (Jun 2020)

Neuromechanisms of SARS-CoV-2: A Review

  • Marcos F. DosSantos,
  • Marcos F. DosSantos,
  • Marcos F. DosSantos,
  • Sylvie Devalle,
  • Veronica Aran,
  • Daniela Capra,
  • Daniela Capra,
  • Daniela Capra,
  • Natália Roberta Roque,
  • Juliana de Mattos Coelho-Aguiar,
  • Tânia Cristina Leite de Sampaio e Spohr,
  • Tânia Cristina Leite de Sampaio e Spohr,
  • Janice Gonçalves Subilhaga,
  • Cláudia Maria Pereira,
  • Isabella D'Andrea Meira,
  • Isabella D'Andrea Meira,
  • Isabella D'Andrea Meira,
  • Paulo Niemeyer Soares Filho,
  • Vivaldo Moura-Neto,
  • Vivaldo Moura-Neto,
  • Vivaldo Moura-Neto,
  • Vivaldo Moura-Neto,
  • Vivaldo Moura-Neto

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnana.2020.00037
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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Recent studies have suggested the neuroinvasive potential of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Notably, neuroinvasiveness might be involved in the pathophysiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Some studies have demonstrated that synapse-connected routes may enable coronaviruses to access the central nervous system (CNS). However, evidence related to the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the CNS, its direct impact on the CNS, and the contribution to symptoms suffered, remain sparse. Here, we review the current literature that indicates that SARS-CoV-2 can invade the nervous system. We also describe the neural circuits that are potentially affected by the virus and their possible role in the progress of COVID-19. In addition, we propose several strategies to understand, diagnose, and treat the neurological symptoms of COVID-19.

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