COVID-19, Neuropathology, and Aging: SARS-CoV-2 Neurological Infection, Mechanism, and Associated Complications

Abstract

The spectrum of health complications instigated by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19, caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has been diverse and complex. Besides the evident pulmonary and cardiovascular threats, accumulating clinical data points to several neurological complications, which are more common in elderly COVID-19 patients. Recent pieces of evidence have marked events of neuro infection and neuroinvasion, producing several neurological complications in COVID-19 patients; however, a systematic understanding of neuro-pathophysiology and manifested neurological complications, more specifically in elderly COVID-19 patients is largely elusive. Since the elderly population gradually develops neurological disorders with aging, COVID-19 inevitably poses a higher risk of neurological manifestations to the aged patients. In this report, we reviewed SARS-CoV-2 infection and its role in neurological manifestations with an emphasis on the elderly population. We reviewed neuropathological events including neuroinfection, neuroinvasion, and their underlying mechanisms affecting neuromuscular, central- and peripheral- nervous systems. We further assessed the imminent neurological challenges in the COVID-19 exposed population, post-SARS-CoV-2-infection. Given the present state of clinical preparedness, the emerging role of AI and machine learning was also discussed concerning COVID-19 diagnostics and its management. Taken together, the present review summarizes neurological outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated complications, specifically in elderly patients, and underlines the need for their clinical management in advance.

Counting on COVID-19 Vaccine: Insights into the Current Strategies, Progress and Future Challenges

“…Interestingly, capillary leak syndrome and Guillain–Barré syndrome have been reported as very rare side effects of both AstraZeneca and Janssen as listed by EMA. Interestingly, Guillain–Barré syndrome is also enlisted as a post-infection complication related to CNS [ 277 , 278 ]. In a comparative survey on Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines (both mRNA vaccines), both of them presented with almost identical efficacy profiles regarding protection against COVID-19, while the former one came up with a lesser number of reported adverse effects whereas the latter one seemed more convenient regarding transport and storage conditions [ 279 ].…”

Counting on COVID-19 vaccine: Insights into the current strategies, progress and future challenges

“…Interestingly, capillary leak syndrome and Guillain-Barre syndrome have been reported as very rare side effects of both AstraZeneca and Janssen as listed by EMA. Interestingly, Guillian-Barre syndrome is also enlisted as a post-infection complication related to CNS [221,222]. In a comparative survey on Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines (both mRNA vaccines), both of them presented with almost identical efficacy of profiles regarding protection against COVID-19 while the former one came up with a lesser number of reported adverse effects, whereas the latter one seemed more convenient regarding transport and storage conditions [223].…”

Association between molecular markers of COVID‐19 and Alzheimer's disease

“…All genes described in this Letter are available at SARSCOVIDB database (https://sarscovidb.org/). 14 André Quincozes-Santos 1,2 Rafael L. da Rosa 3…”