scholarly journals Cellular and Molecular Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Linking Lung Infection to the Brain

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Francistiová ◽  
Adrián Klepe ◽  
Géza Curley ◽  
Károly Gulya ◽  
András Dinnyés ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Disease ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Irreversible Damage ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Lung Capacity ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Systemic Hypoxia ◽  
Cns Effects ◽  
The Brain

In December 2019, a new viral disease emerged and quickly spread all around the world. In March 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak was classified as a global pandemic and by June 2021, the number of infected people grew to over 170 million. Along with the patients’ mild-to-severe respiratory symptoms, reports on probable central nervous system (CNS) effects appeared shortly, raising concerns about the possible long-term detrimental effects on human cognition. It remains unresolved whether the neurological symptoms are caused directly by the SARS-CoV-2 infiltration in the brain, indirectly by secondary immune effects of a cytokine storm and antibody overproduction, or as a consequence of systemic hypoxia-mediated microglia activation. In severe COVID-19 cases with impaired lung capacity, hypoxia is an anticipated subsidiary event that can cause progressive and irreversible damage to neurons. To resolve this problem, intensive research is currently ongoing, which seeks to evaluate the SARS-CoV-2 virus’ neuroinvasive potential and the examination of the antibody and autoantibody generation upon infection, as well as the effects of prolonged systemic hypoxia on the CNS. In this review, we summarize the current research on the possible interplay of the SARS-CoV-2 effects on the lung, especially on alveolar macrophages and direct and indirect effects on the brain, with special emphasis on microglia, as a possible culprit of neurological manifestation during COVID-19.

UPDATE ON CARDIOVASCULAR IMPLICATIONS OF COVID 19

2021 ◽  
pp. 238-242
Author(s):  
Pradeep Kumar Radhakrishnan ◽  
Gayathri Ananyajyothi Ambat ◽  
Roshini Ambat ◽  
Syed Ilas Basha ◽  
Hema Prakash ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Disease ◽  
Systemic Vasculitis ◽  
Myocardial Damage ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Cardiac Damage ◽  
Corona Virus ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Acute Myocardial Injury ◽  
Exercise Induced

On March 11 2020 WHO declares corona viral disease as a global pandemic .COVID 19 pandemic has taken the world by storm and many countries like India is now experiencing a second surge due to mutant strains. Global health emergency has been precipitated by this corona virus disease caused by SARS CoV2.Acute and intermediate effects on cardiovascular system are becoming obvious with progression of time. SARS-CoV-2-related endothelial dysfunction results in an augmented risk for venous thromboembolism, systemic vasculitis, endothelial cell apoptosis, and inammation in various organs. Acute infections have troponin elevation more due to indirect cardiac damage though denite patterns of direct damage do exist. Intermediate evaluation in patients with resolved infections shows increased incidence of exercise induced arrhythmias and residual cardiovascular symptoms. The virus with its zoonotic origin based upon its genomic identity to bat derived SARS corona virus has a human to human transmission mode.ACE 2 receptors facilitate cellular entry and has been implicated in direct and indirect myocardial damage. Myocarditis, acute myocardial injury, arrhythmias and thromboembolism dominates the clinical picture. Role of imaging must be dened in relation to relevant clinical ndings. With arrival of vaccine and widespread vaccination global programs, we can look forward to understanding and managing long term complications of this disease. Prognostic implications of a resolved disease need to be evaluated by future studies.

scholarly journals Neurological, neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental complications of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
pp. 000486742096147
Author(s):  
Christos Pantelis ◽  
Mahesh Jayaram ◽  
Anthony J Hannan ◽  
Robb Wesselingh ◽  
Jess Nithianantharajah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organ Damage ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Collaborative Efforts ◽  
The Brain

Although COVID-19 is predominantly a respiratory disease, it is known to affect multiple organ systems. In this article, we highlight the impact of SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus causing COVID-19) on the central nervous system as there is an urgent need to understand the longitudinal impacts of COVID-19 on brain function, behaviour and cognition. Furthermore, we address the possibility of intergenerational impacts of COVID-19 on the brain, potentially via both maternal and paternal routes. Evidence from preclinical models of earlier coronaviruses has shown direct viral infiltration across the blood–brain barrier and indirect secondary effects due to other organ pathology and inflammation. In the most severely ill patients with pneumonia requiring intensive care, there appears to be additional severe inflammatory response and associated thrombophilia with widespread organ damage, including the brain. Maternal viral (and other) infections during pregnancy can affect the offspring, with greater incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, schizophrenia and epilepsy. Available reports suggest possible vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2, although longitudinal cohort studies of such offspring are needed. The impact of paternal infection on the offspring and intergenerational effects should also be considered. Research targeted at mechanistic insights into all aspects of pathogenesis, including neurological, neuropsychiatric and haematological systems alongside pulmonary pathology, will be critical in informing future therapeutic approaches. With these future challenges in mind, we highlight the importance of national and international collaborative efforts to gather the required clinical and preclinical data to effectively address the possible long-term sequelae of this global pandemic, particularly with respect to the brain and mental health.

scholarly journals Lifestyle at Time of COVID-19: How Could Quarantine Affect Cardiovascular Risk

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 240-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Vittoria Mattioli ◽  
Matteo Ballerini Puviani
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Unhealthy Lifestyle ◽  
Outdoor Activities ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Global Pandemic

COVID-19 is causing a global pandemic with a high number of deaths and infected people. To contain the diffusion of COVID-19 virus, governments have enforced restrictions on outdoor activities or even collective quarantine on the population. Quarantine carries some long-term effects on cardiovascular disease, mainly related to unhealthy lifestyle and anxiety.

scholarly journals Assessing Topographical Orientation Skills in Cannabis Users

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liana Palermo ◽  
Filippo Bianchini ◽  
Giuseppe Iaria ◽  
Antonio Tanzilli ◽  
Cecilia Guariglia
Keyword(s):  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
Cognitive Maps ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Cannabis User ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Functional Reorganization ◽  
Topographical Orientation ◽  
The Brain

The long-term effects of cannabis on human cognition are still unclear, but, considering that cannabis is a widely used substance and, overall, its potential use in therapeutic interventions, it is important to evaluate them. We hypothesize that the discrepancies among studies could be attributed to the specific cognitive function investigated and that skills subserved by the hippocampus, such as the spatial orientation abilities and, specifically, the ability to form and use cognitive maps, should be more compromised than others. Indeed it has been showed that cannabis users have a reduced hippocampus and that the hippocampus is the brain region in which cannabis has the greatest effect since it contains the highest concentration of cannabinoid receptors. To test this hypothesis we asked 15 heavy cannabis users and 19 nonusers to perform a virtual navigational test, the CMT, that assesses the ability to form and use cognitive maps. We found that using cannabis has no effect on these hippocampus-dependent orientation skills. We discuss the implications of our findings and how they relate to evidence reported in the literature that the intervention of functional reorganization mechanisms in cannabis user allows them to cope with the cognitive demands of navigational tasks.

The Neurology of AIDS

2012 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Disease ◽  
Neurological Complications ◽  
Psychiatric Disease ◽  
Viral Reservoirs ◽  
Large Measure ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Cellular Factors ◽  
Muscle Nerve ◽  
Hiv 1

This resource discusses how neurological complications of progressive HIV-1 infection remain a common cause of morbidity even during widespread use of antiretroviral therapy (ART). It addresses how long-term resistance to ART, drug compliance, untoward drug side effects, a myriad of opportunistic infection, depression and other psychiatric disease manifestations, concomitant drug abuse, neuropathies, and an inability to clear viral reservoirs, explain, in large measure, disease progression and immune deterioration. It then covers the association with a number of psychiatric, muscle, nerve, infectious, as well as cognitive, behavioral, and motor disturbances seen in infected people, with a focus on the neurological complications, molecular and viral disease processes, cellular factors influencing viral replication therapeutic challenges, and the changing epidemiological patterns of disease.

The unconscious patient

2020 ◽  
pp. 5901-5908
Author(s):  
David Bates
Keyword(s):  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Systemic Infection ◽  
Bowel Function ◽  
Irreversible Damage ◽  
Metabolic Derangement ◽  
Skin Circulation ◽  
Level Of Consciousness ◽  
Traumatic Coma ◽  
The Brain

Prolonged loss of consciousness (coma, defined as a Glasgow Coma Score of 8 or less) is seen commonly: (1) following head injury, (2) after an overdose of sedating drugs, and (3) in the situation of ‘non-traumatic coma’, where there are many possible diagnoses, but the most common are postanoxic, postischaemic, systemic infection, and metabolic derangement (e.g. hypoglycaemia). Urgent assessment is required to identify and, where possible, correct the pathological cause, and protect the brain from the development of irreversible damage. Specific treatment (if any) will depend upon the particular cause of coma, but—whatever the cause—long-term attention is required to the patient’s respiration, skin, circulation, and bladder and bowel function, seizures must be controlled, and the level of consciousness should be regularly assessed and monitored.

scholarly journals Neuroimmune multi-hit perspective of coronaviral infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawn Hayley ◽  
Hongyu Sun
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
Inflammatory Factors ◽  
Psychological Stressors ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Microbial Infections ◽  
Neuronal Processes ◽  
To Come ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain

AbstractIt is well accepted that environmental stressors experienced over a one’s life, from microbial infections to chemical toxicants to even psychological stressors, ultimately shape central nervous system (CNS) functioning but can also contribute to its eventual breakdown. The severity, timing and type of such environmental “hits”, woven together with genetic factors, likely determine what CNS outcomes become apparent. This focused review assesses the current COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of a multi-hit framework and disuses how the SARS-COV-2 virus (causative agent) might impact the brain and potentially interact with other environmental insults. What the long-term consequences of SAR2 COV-2 upon neuronal processes is yet unclear, but emerging evidence is suggesting the possibility of microglial or other inflammatory factors as potentially contributing to neurodegenerative illnesses. Finally, it is critical to consider the impact of the virus in the context of the substantial psychosocial stress that has been associated with the global pandemic. Indeed, the loneliness, fear to the future and loss of social support alone has exerted a massive impact upon individuals, especially the vulnerable very young and the elderly. The substantial upswing in depression, anxiety and eating disorders is evidence of this and in the years to come, this might be matched by a similar spike in dementia, as well as motor and cognitive neurodegenerative diseases.

The Acute Effect of Alcohol on Various Memory Processes

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Márk Molnár ◽  
Roland Boha ◽  
Balázs Czigler ◽  
Zsófia Anna Gaál
Keyword(s):  
Low Dose ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Acute Effect ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Memory Processes ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Legal Consequences

This review surveys relevant and recent data of the pertinent literature regarding the acute effect of alcohol on various kinds of memory processes with special emphasis on working memory. The characteristics of different types of long-term memory (LTM) and short-term memory (STM) processes are summarized with an attempt to relate these to various structures in the brain. LTM is typically impaired by chronic alcohol intake but according to some data a single dose of ethanol may have long lasting effects if administered at a critically important age. The most commonly seen deleterious acute effect of alcohol to STM appears following large doses of ethanol in conditions of “binge drinking” causing the “blackout” phenomenon. However, with the application of various techniques and well-structured behavioral paradigms it is possible to detect, albeit occasionally, subtle changes of cognitive processes even as a result of a low dose of alcohol. These data may be important for the consideration of legal consequences of low-dose ethanol intake in conditions such as driving, etc.

Moving past the vaccine/autism controversy - to examine potential vaccine neurological harms

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Peter R. Breggin
Keyword(s):  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Developmental Disorder ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Psychosocial Disorders ◽  
The Us ◽  
Potential Vaccine ◽  
Research And Education ◽  
The Brain ◽  
New Vaccines

BACKGROUND: The vaccine/autism controversy has caused vast scientific and public confusion, and it has set back research and education into genuine vaccine-induced neurological disorders. The great strawman of autism has been so emphasized by the vaccine industry that it, and it alone, often appears in authoritative discussions of adverse effects of the MMR and other vaccines. By dismissing the chimerical vaccine/autism controversy, vaccine defenders often dismiss all genuinely neurological aftereffects of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) and other vaccines, including well-documented events, such as relatively rare cases of encephalopathy and encephalitis. OBJECTIVE: This report explains that autism is not a physical or neurological disorder. It is not caused by injury or disease of the brain. It is a developmental disorder that has no physical origins and no physical symptoms. It is extremely unlikely that vaccines are causing autism; but it is extremely likely that they are causing more neurological damage than currently appreciated, some of it resulting in psychosocial disabilities that can be confused with autism and other psychosocial disorders. This confusion between a developmental, psychosocial disorder and a physical neurological disease has played into the hands of interest groups who want to deny that vaccines have any neurological and associated neuropsychiatric effects. METHODS: A review of the scientific literature, textbooks, and related media commentary is integrated with basic clinical knowledge. RESULTS: This report shows how scientific sources have used the vaccine/autism controversy to avoid dealing with genuine neurological risks associated with vaccines and summarizes evidence that vaccines, including the MMR, can cause serious neurological disorders. Manufacturers have been allowed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to gain vaccine approval without placebo-controlled clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: The misleading vaccine autism controversy must be set aside in favor of examining actual neurological harms associated with vaccines, including building on existing research that has been ignored. Manufacturers of vaccines must be required to conduct placebo-controlled clinical studies for existing vaccines and for government approval of new vaccines. Many probable or confirmed neurological adverse events occur within a few days or weeks after immunization and could be detected if the trials were sufficiently large. Contrary to current opinion, large, long-term placebo-controlled trials of existing and new vaccines would be relatively easy and safe to conduct.

Long-term management of patients with multiple brain metastases after shaped beam radiosurgery

2004 ◽  
pp. 406-412
Author(s):  
Paul Okunieff ◽  
Michael C. Schell ◽  
Russell Ruo ◽  
E. Ronald Hale ◽  
Walter G. O'Dell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Metastases ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Multiple Metastases ◽  
Extracranial Disease ◽  
Successful Control ◽  
The Brain

✓ The role of radiosurgery in the treatment of patients with advanced-stage metastatic disease is currently under debate. Previous randomized studies have not consistently supported the use of radiosurgery to treat patients with numbers of brain metastases. In negative-results studies, however, intracranial tumor control was high but extracranial disease progressed; thus, patient survival was not greatly affected, although neurocognitive function was generally maintained until death. Because the future promises improved systemic (extracranial) therapy, the successful control of brain disease is that much more crucial. Thus, for selected patients with multiple metastases to the brain who remain in good neurological condition, aggressive lesion-targeting radiosurgery should be very useful. Although a major limitation to success of this therapy is the lack of control of extracranial disease in most patients, it is clear that well-designed, aggressive treatment substantially decreases the progression of brain metastases and also improves neurocognitive survival. The authors present the management and a methodology for rational treatment of a patient with breast cancer who has harbored 24 brain metastases during a 3-year period.

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