COVID-19 and neurodegeneration: Perspectives on the impact of viruses on the brain.

Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD 2026

["Luna-Tenorio Enrique", "Torres-Mendoza Jimena", "Franco-Colin Margarita", "Alvarez-Gonz\u00e1lez Isela", "de la Cruz-Lopez Fidel"]

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to affect various systems in the human body, including the central nervous system (CNS). A number of neurological manifestations have been documented in patients with COVID-19, ranging from acute symptoms to long-term sequelae such as ‘mental fog’ and encephalitis. Persistent cognitive symptoms such as memory and attention deficits have been reported after COVID-19, based on clinical and epidemiological evidence. COVID-19-associated encephalitis has also been described in case reports. In addition, it has been proposed that SARS-CoV-2 infection may contribute to neurodegeneration through mechanisms such as chronic inflammation, disruption of the blood-brain barrier, and alterations in tau protein and amyloid-β. This article reviews the interrelation between viral infections and neurodegenerative diseases, emphasizing the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the CNS and its possible involvement in the development of neurodegenerative pathologies. Although this evidence is preliminary, it highlights the need for long-term neurological follow-up in patients who have overcome COVID-19, especially those who presented neurological symptoms during the acute phase of the disease.

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