COVID-19 and Neurodegenerative Diseases: One Health Approach

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, was identified in late 2019 and subsequently transmitted globally. COVID-19 has caused substantial risk to public health and safety, with a marked increase in both mortality and morbidity. Due to the high transmission and multifactorial pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 patients have reported several long-term complications, including impaired pulmonary function, fatigue, neurological manifestations, and kidney injury. Recent studies have demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 can breach the blood-brain barrier and trigger the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein and accumulation of beta-amyloid and synuclein protein, which increases the progression of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) in elderly population. One Health approach is required to combat this complication, which may be defined as an interdisciplinary strategy that recognizes the relationship between animals, humans, and the environment to achieve optimal health. In addition, this approach might support researchers to study the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 in the progression of NDs. The distinctive impact of COVID-19 on the neurological system should be considered while envisaging prospective “One Health” programs related to COVID-19. Therefore, this chapter summarizes the impact of COVID-19 pathogenesis in NDs and the significance of One Health approach in the management of the long-term effect of COVID-19 on mental health.