Background

Although it was initially detected through its impact on the respiratory system, COVID-19 is now recognized as a multisystemic disease, and the nervous system is one of its main targets. SARS-CoV-2 infects host cells through the binding of its spike protein to a surface receptor known as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is widely expressed in the CNS.Structural similarities found between SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses have indicated early on that it might have neuroinvasive and neurotropic potential, with studies of coronaviruses involved in previous outbreaks showing serious CNS complications. Links between coronavirus infections and neurodegenerative diseases have also been proposed in the past, as antigens and RNA from CoVs have been detected in the brain and CSF of patients