Neurotropism and blood-brain barrier involvement in COVID-19

The global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) persists despite the progress vaccination and increased natural immunity. SARS-CoV-2 associated not only with pneumonia distress, but also many symptoms related to central nervous system (CNS), including loss sense taste smell, headache, convulsions, visual disturbances, impaired consciousness. In addition, virus has been implicated in CNS diseases such as cerebral hemorrhage, infarction, encephalitis. binds receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2), which used a cell entry receptor. Although mechanism enters brain still unclear, possibility direct through olfactory nerve tract into blood-brain barrier (BBB) blood-cerebrospinal fluid (BCSFB) via blood circulation indicated. BBB likely serves site for brain, possibly contributes COVID-19 due its dysfunction result infection. present review will focus on effects CNS, particularly cells involved.