Neurological results of COVID-19: “Silent Wave”

Is the world preparing a wave of ongoing neurological effects as a result of COVID-19? This question is at the forefront of ongoing research at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health. A team of neuroscientists and clinicians are investigating the potential association of COVID-19 with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease and measures to anticipate the curve.

“Scientists are still learning how the SARS-CoV-2 virus can invade the brain and central nervous system, but the fact that it is invading it is clear. Our best understanding is , The virus can cause insults to brain cells. The possibility of neurological degeneration continues from there. “

In a review paper released today, researchers spotlight the potential long-term neurological effects of COVID-19 and call it the “silent wave.” They call for urgent action to take advantage of more accurate diagnostic tools for early identification of neurodegeneration and long-term monitoring approaches for people infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Researchers report it Neurological symptoms From severe brain hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) in people infected with the virus Common symptoms such as Olfactory loss..

“We found that on average, loss of smell or reduction of smell was reported in 3 out of 4 people infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. On the surface, this symptom is of concern. It rarely appears, but it really tells us a lot about what’s happening inside, and that’s the acute inflammation of the olfactory system that causes the sense of smell, “Flory researchers say. Leah Beauchamp explained.

Inflammation is understood to play a major role in the etiology of neurogenesis disease It is especially well studied in Parkinson’s disease. Further studies of these diseases may prove to be important for the future effects of SARS-CoV-2.

“We believe that odor loss presents a new way for someone to detect the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease early. Smell loss is more than about 90% of people and motors in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease. Armed with the knowledge that it existed 10 years ago. Symptoms, we feel we are heading in the right direction, “Bochamp added.

The clinical diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease currently relies on the presentation of motor dysfunction, but studies have shown that by this time 50-70% of dopamine cell loss in the brain has already occurred. ..

“By waiting for diagnosis and treatment to this stage of Parkinson’s disease, we missed the time frame for neuroprotective therapy to achieve its intended effect. About the insidious disease affecting 80,000 people in Australia. “We haven’t considered the potential consequences of COVID and there are currently no disease-modifying therapies available,” said Barnham.

Researchers aimed to identify people in areas at risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, or those in the early stages of the disease, when treatment has the greatest potential to prevent the onset of exercise. Hopes to establish a cost-effective screening protocol in dysfunction. They plan to proceed with funding proposals from the Australian Government’s Future Financing Program for Medical Research.

In addition, the team developed two neuroprotective therapies currently under investigation and identified a cohort of ideal subjects for therapeutic research. Through their study, they gained new evidence that people with REM sleep behavior disorder have a higher predisposition to developing Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s disease is a major financial burden on the Australian economy, exceeding $ 10 billion annually.

“We need to change the community’s view that Parkinson’s disease is not an old-age disease. As we have heard over and over again, Coronavirus I don’t discriminate against Parkinson’s disease either. “

“We can gain insights from the neurological consequences of the 1918 influenza pandemic in Spain, which increased the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by a factor of two to three. Potential neurological disease. May go on track to consider a global increase. “

“The world was surprised for the first time, but we don’t have to do it again. We now know what to do. Along with a strategic public health approach, the keys to early diagnosis and better treatment tools are advancing. To become. ”