Neurodegenerative and Cognitive Consequences of Long COVID

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has infected approximately 778 million people worldwide since the pandemic. Patients who have survived coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may experience long-term symptoms related to cognitive deficits, mood changes, and depressive disorders. The mechanisms underlying the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain are being actively investigated. SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers various mechanisms, such as hyperstimulation of the immune response, which may lead to changes in the central nervous system. In this article, we review the evidence linking COVID-19 to neurodegenerative disorders and cognitive impairment. Current research indicates that patients with pre-existing cognitive and neuropsychiatric deficits have a poorer prognosis after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and patients who have survived COVID-19 may be at increased risk of developing dementia and mood disorders. We analyse the available evidence regarding SARS-CoV-2 brain infection, induction of inflammation, coagulopathy, and blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction as possible mechanisms underlying the disorders in the acute phase of COVID-19 disease and contributing to the development of neurodegenerative disorders in long COVID. Viral infection can trigger inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS), leading to damage and contributing to the development of cognitive dysfunction.