Neurological Manifestations of COVID 19 infection-An Update

Abstract

Abstract

This article focuses on the neurological disorders related to Covid 19 infection based on studies reported from china, Italy and other countries. The virus attaches to the Angiotensin Converting enzyme Receptor which is widely distributed in the body including nervous system. Virus can effected the nervous system by direct neurotropic effects, Immune mediated damage or due to secondary involvement as a part of multi organ dysfunction. Covid 19 Infection is found to effect the Central, Pheripheral Nervous system and the muscles. Covid 19 leads to manifestations involving the Pheripheral nervous system like smell and taste abnormalities which can occur early in the course of illness and can be specific to the illness. Guillian Barry syndrome and its variants like miller fisher syndrome has been reported. Viral Myositis has also been described. Most of the neurological manifestations occur in severe disease and are associated with raised inflammatory markers and lymphopenia. Central nervous system manifestations include secondary involvement of the brain due to hypoxia, Hypoperfusion or multiorgan dysfunction leading to altered sensorium of varying degree and seizures. Direct viral manifestations like Encephalitis has been reported rarely. Case reports of Post infectious immune mediated syndromes like acute disseminated encephalomyelitis have been reported too. Both Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes have been found in 11 % of patients in some studies. Ischemic strokes may be related to hypercoagulability, thromboembolism or age related comorbidities. Large vessel strokes have been reported very recently without other vascular comorbidities. The mechanism of such young onset ischemic strokes needs further studies. Nonspecific symptoms like Headache, diziness and muscle soreness are other common manifestations.

Keywords: ACE Receptor, Anosmia, Covid 19, Guillian Barry, Neurological

Cite this Article

Praveen Kumar Yadav. Neurological Manifestations of COVID 19 infection – An Update. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Neuroscience. 2020; 10(2): 7–11p.