The neurobiology of long COVID

Michelle Monje; Akiko Iwasaki

doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2022.10.006

The neurobiology of long COVID

Neuron. 2022 Nov 2;110(21):3484-3496. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.10.006. Epub 2022 Oct 7.

Authors

Michelle Monje¹, Akiko Iwasaki²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Department of Immunobiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

Abstract

Persistent neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms affect a substantial fraction of people after COVID-19 and represent a major component of the post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, also known as long COVID. Here, we review what is understood about the pathobiology of post-acute COVID-19 impact on the CNS and discuss possible neurobiological underpinnings of the cognitive symptoms affecting COVID-19 survivors. We propose the chief mechanisms that may contribute to this emerging neurological health crisis.

Keywords: COVID-19; EBV; HSV; PAISs; SARS-CoV-2; astrocytes; autoimmunity; blood-brain-barrier; cognitive impairment; hippocampal neurogenesis; long COVID; microglia; microvascular disease; myelin; post-acute infection syndromes.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Humans
Mental Disorders*
Nervous System Diseases*
Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

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