Neurological complications and infection mechanism of SARS-COV-2

Currently, SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global pandemic and threatened many lives. Although SARS-CoV-2 mainly causes respiratory diseases, growing data indicate that SARS-CoV-2 can also invade the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) causing multiple neurological diseases, such as encephalitis, encephalopathy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, meningitis, and skeletal muscular symptoms. Despite the increasing incidences of clinical neurological complications of SARS-CoV-2, the precise neuroinvasion mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 have not been fully established. In this review, we primarily describe the clinical neurological complications associated with SARS-CoV-2 and discuss the potential mechanisms through which SARS-CoV-2 invades the brain based on the current evidence. Finally, we summarize the experimental models were used to study SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasion. These data form the basis for studies on the significance of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the brain.

Automated summary

SARS-CoV-2 causes respiratory diseases but can also invade the nervous system, leading to various neurological complications. Despite the increasing incidence of clinical neurological complications, the precise neuroinvasion mechanisms have not been fully established.