Journal article
Neurological Manifestations of SARS-CoV-2
Viruses, Vol.17(11), 1432
10/28/2025
DOI: 10.3390/v17111432
PMCID: PMC12656803
PMID: 41305454
Abstract
Neurocognitive symptoms have emerged as notable sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19). Although primarily a respiratory virus, SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with central nervous system (CNS) changes observed in both clinical and experimental settings. To better understand these effects and their pathological mechanisms, we conducted a systematic literature search of published studies and employed a qualitative, analytical approach to identify and synthesize key findings from peer-reviewed studies, including large-scale retrospective clinical cohorts, human autopsy reports, animal models (murine, non-human primate), and in vitro brain organoid systems. While viral components were detected in post mortem central nervous system tissues, COVID-19 neuropathology appears to stem primarily from immune-mediated inflammation and vascular injury rather than direct CNS infection. Persistent glial activation and BBB disruption may underlie the long-term neurological symptoms reported in long COVID-19. Although animal models offer mechanistic insight, species-specific differences necessitate cautious extrapolation to human pathology. Further investigation into the chronic effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the brain is essential to guide long-term clinical management and therapeutic development.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Neurological Manifestations of SARS-CoV-2
- Creators
- Jasmine Miftahof - University of Iowa, Internal MedicineBlake Bernauer - University of IowaChen Sabrina Tan - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Viruses, Vol.17(11), 1432
- DOI
- 10.3390/v17111432
- PMID
- 41305454
- PMCID
- PMC12656803
- NLM abbreviation
- Viruses
- ISSN
- 1999-4915
- eISSN
- 1999-4915
- Publisher
- MDPI
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/28/2025
- Academic Unit
- Microbiology and Immunology; Infectious Diseases; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9985019045302771
Metrics
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