Critical neurological features of COVID-19: Role of imaging methods and biosensors for effective diagnosis

Abstract

COVID-19 is a respiratory infection that has been declared as a global health crisis by the WHO. It mainly affects the respiratory system. Apart from respiratory system, it also affects other organs as well including the brain. Numerous emerging reports have demonstrated that the COVID-19 has detrimental effects on neurological functions, and can lead to severe impairment of the nervous system. The neurological manifestations linked with COVID-19 include headache, anosmia, encephalitis, epileptic seizures, Guillain-Barre syndrome, stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage alongwith multiple others complications. The CNS related complications may be severe are they are linked with poor diagnosis which may worsen the condition. Therefore, there is a need to precisely understand the neurological sequelae along with upcoming clinical outcomes. Here, we presented a brief review of neurological complications and symptoms associated with COVID-19 along with brain imaging findings. Further, we have discussed about the emerging biosensing approaches which may aid in rapid, precise and mass diagnosis of COVID-19.

Differential chromatin accessibility in peripheral blood mononuclear cells underlies COVID-19 disease severity prior to seroconversion

“…However, development of a host-response assay that leverage the highly sensitive epigenetic biomarkers established early during infection has the potential to fill a clear unmet clinical need in the care of patients with COVID-19 29 , 30 . For example, in addition to the well characterized respiratory system damage of COVID-19, the deleterious effects on the central nervous system (CNS) can be devastating and include headache, anosmia (loss of smell), hyposmia (loss of taste), disturbance of smell, taste or vision, epileptic seizures, Guillain–Barre syndrome and intracerebral hemorrhage 31 . Our future studies will determine association between epigenetic biomarkers and specific symptoms that reflect damage to the CNS or peripheral nervous systems.…”

Penetration of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein across the Blood–Brain Barrier, as Revealed by a Combination of a Human Cell Culture Model System and Optical Biosensing

“…The application of the optical biosensor construction as a sensitive, rapid, and portable way of detecting the target spike protein from fluid samples is one of the strengths of this study. Investigations focusing on the early, effective detection of the virus and its antigens have been in the center of attention [ 34 ]. By this label-free, cost-effective approach, the evaluation of the spike protein S1 subunit concentration could be achieved within few minutes.…”

Galectin-1 as the new player in staging and prognosis of COVID-19

“…As PCT levels are increased in sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections, but not in viral infections, higher levels of this marker can suggest the possibility of multiple infections or cytokine storm in critically ill patients 19 , 20 . Increased levels of AST, ALT, DBIL, CK, LDH, D-dimer, suggested that SARS-CoV-2 infection may be associated with thrombosis or coagulopathy, myocardial injury, hepatic injury and other related organ damage 21 , 22 . Although higher values of white blood cell count, thrombocyte count, glucose, creatinine, Fe, BILT and lower values of hemoglobin, K + and Na + were detected in patients with severe and critical stage of COVID-19, statistical significance was not reached (Table 2 ).…”