Impact of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) on the Nervous System: A Critical Review

Abstract

The present study is based on the thorough and critical review of more than 30 research and review articles published in highly reputed scientific journals during past two years and available on prestigious scientific search engines like PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar, after the emergence and worldwide occurrence of Corona virus disease (COVID-19). Most of the studies indicate that other body systems like the cardiovascular system, hepatic system, renal system and nervous system are also affected by the corona virus along with the respiratory tract leading to multiple organ failure and other co-morbidities. Adequate preliminary reports suggest that the corona virus severely devastates the peripheral and central nervous system after invading through many direct or indirect neural pathways. Earlier studies indicate that the virus exhibits a wide range of neurological manifestations including Cerebro-vascular implications, acute polyneuropathy, headache, encephalopathy, encephalitis, seizures, hypogeusia as well as some non specific symptoms. However more studies are needed to authenticate the impact of the virus on the different components of the brain and Neuro- endocrine system. In the present study the impact of impact of corona virus on the different segments of the nervous system and their postulated molecular mechanism as well as manifestations have been reviewed. In addition, the possible neural pathways that lead to the entry of the virus within the nervous system have also been thoroughly discussed.