A call for a global COVID-19 Neuro Research Coalition

摘要

Reports are emerging at a rapid pace that the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) affects the nervous system in various ways. Preliminary data from Wuhan, China, suggest that neurological manifestations are present in more than 30% of patients presenting with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Neurological features range from quite diffuse neurological signs and symptoms like headache, dizziness, reduced level of consciousness, confusion, diffuse corticospinal tract signs, and paraesthesia, to more specific manifestations, such as seizures, stroke, encephalitis, or meningoencephalitis, and myopathy. To date, SARS-CoV-2 has not been detected in the neural tissue directly, although it has been isolated from the CSF of some patients. The hypothesis of neurotropism with subsequent neuronal injury, either directly or indirectly (through immune mechanisms), is supported by previous findings from other infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV.