COVID-19 threatens entire nervous system: Study

CHICAGO: COVID-19 poses threat to the entire nervous system much before it does to the respiratory system, according to a recent study. The purpose of the study was to help cope up better with neurological symptoms of the virus like headache, dizziness, and strokes in a better way.

According to the research, which was published in Annals of Neurology, about half of the hospitalised COVID-19 patients have neurological manifestations like headache, dizziness, stroke, decreased alertness, difficulty concentrating, disorders of smell and taste, seizures, weakness and muscle pain.

Lead author of the review, Dr. Igor Koralnik from Northwestern University, said that the general public and physicians should be aware that a SARS-CoV-2 infection may initially show neurological symptoms before fever, cough, or any other respiratory problems. The review outlines the different neurological conditions that may occur in COVID-19 patients and their diagnosis, as well as of likely pathogenic mechanisms.

Koralnik said that this understanding is the key to direct appropriate clinical management and treatments as COVID-19 in many different ways can cause neurological dysfunction and affect multiple organs like (lungs, kidney, heart), the brain may also suffer from lack of oxygen or clotting disorders that may lead to stroke. He added that the infection caused by virus may result in the damage of brain and nerves.