Effect of SARS-COV2 virus on nervous system and mental health

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19. COVID-19 has
shown syndromic complexity. COVID-19 effects on the respiratory system have been well described
in the literature, but we now recognize that COVID-19 also affects several other organs, including the
nervous system. The neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection are growing rapidly, as
evidenced by several reports. There are several mechanisms responsible for such manifestations in the
nervous system. For instance, post-infectious immune-mediated processes, direct virus infection of the
central nervous system (CNS), and virus-induced hyper-inflammatory and hypercoagulable states are
commonly involved. Due to multifactorial and complicated pathogenic mechanisms, COVID-19 poses a
large-scale threat to the whole nervous system. A complete understanding of SARS-CoV-2 neurological
impairments is still lacking, but our knowledge base is rapidly expanding. Therefore, we anticipate that
this comprehensive review will provide valuable insights in unfolding different neurological dimensions
of COVID-19 and other CoV associated abnormalities.