Browsing by Author "Soares, Marta Isabel Cunha"
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- Mechanisms underlying Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration in COVID-19: A Systematic ReviewPublication . Soares, Marta Isabel Cunha; Baltazar, Graça Maria Fernandes; Patto, Maria da Assunção Morais e Cunha Vaz; Pinto, Nuno Filipe CardosoThe COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has led to a broad range of multiorgan symptoms that persist beyond the acute phase of infection. This postCOVID condition, or long-COVID, particularly affects the central nervous system and it poses a significant health burden and incapacitating sequelae, with cognitive impairment being the most prevalent. Neuroinflammation is a key factor in its pathophysiology, leading to various brain-related abnormalities ranging from headaches to severe strokes, indicating a trajectory of accelerated aging and neurodegeneration. Understanding the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2-induced neuroinflammation and recognizing the pathways through which SARS-CoV-2 causes brain damage is critical. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current evidence on the underlying processes of neurodegeneration and inflammation in COVID-19. Methodology: We conducted a comprehensive review of studies analysing neurological biomarker expression and structural brain alterations in COVID-19 patients. To reduce bias, we excluded major comorbidities known to affect the central nervous system. The selected studies included various methodologies, such as prospective, cross-sectional, and post-mortem analyses. Conclusion: Findings indicate significant blood-brain barrier disruption, increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and alterations in glial and neuronal function. These processes contribute to changes in brain connectivity and hyperexcitability, potentially leading to long-term neurological complications. However, the heterogeneity of study designs and the limited number of studies without major comorbidities challenge the generalizability of these results.