About this Research Topic
Neurological manifestations of COVID-19 patients have been found to be common, varying from very mild symptoms to severe comatose disease, and involving both central and peripheral nervous systems. In addition to acute conditions, a large number of COVID-19 patients have been reported to suffer from longstanding neuropsychiatric symptoms, associated with the long COVID syndrome. Furthermore, it has been speculated that COVID-19 might accelerate neurodegenerative processes, as COVID-19 and neurodegenerative diseases share many risk factors and mechanisms, Thus, it is likely that COVID-19 associated neurological problems will affect millions of people even after the present pandemic.
Currently, there are more than 150 000 articles in Pubmed covering COVID-19 and Sars-CoV-2, but only a fragment of them have been focused on COVID-19 associated neuropathology. Neuropathological studies have described a variety of neuropathological changes, mostly on relatively small series, based on which it has been difficult to form a clear consensus on many essential questions. For example, which of the COVID-19-associated neuropathological changes, if any, are specific for COVID-19? Are the neuropathological changes caused by direct invasion of the virus to the brain or rather represent indi-rect consequences of systemic disease? What are the histopathological correlates of the long COVID syndrome? Does COVID-19 accelerate neurodegenerative diseases and if so, what are the mechanisms? What is the role of activated microglial cells in accelerated neurodegenerative diseases or long COVID symptoms?
To address these questions, we need a wide collaborative effort from neuropathologists, and large collections of autopsy brains as well as muscle and nerve biopsies.
The aim of this Research Topic is to collect information on various aspects of COVID-19 associated neuropathology. We welcome original research, case reports, reviews, and opinion letters focused on COVID-19-related neuropathological changes. We look for manuscripts covering different neuropathological themes, such as COVID-19-associated inflammation, microglial activation, vascular pathologies, possible invasion mechanisms, findings associated with long COVID syndrome, and connections between neurodegenerative diseases and COVID-19.
Currently, there are more than 150 000 articles in Pubmed covering COVID-19 and Sars-CoV-2, but only a fragment of them have been focused on COVID-19 associated neuropathology. Neuropathological studies have described a variety of neuropathological changes, mostly on relatively small series, based on which it has been difficult to form a clear consensus on many essential questions. For example, which of the COVID-19-associated neuropathological changes, if any, are specific for COVID-19? Are the neuropathological changes caused by direct invasion of the virus to the brain or rather represent indi-rect consequences of systemic disease? What are the histopathological correlates of the long COVID syndrome? Does COVID-19 accelerate neurodegenerative diseases and if so, what are the mechanisms? What is the role of activated microglial cells in accelerated neurodegenerative diseases or long COVID symptoms?
To address these questions, we need a wide collaborative effort from neuropathologists, and large collections of autopsy brains as well as muscle and nerve biopsies.
The aim of this Research Topic is to collect information on various aspects of COVID-19 associated neuropathology. We welcome original research, case reports, reviews, and opinion letters focused on COVID-19-related neuropathological changes. We look for manuscripts covering different neuropathological themes, such as COVID-19-associated inflammation, microglial activation, vascular pathologies, possible invasion mechanisms, findings associated with long COVID syndrome, and connections between neurodegenerative diseases and COVID-19.
Keywords: COVID-19, Neuropathology, Long COVID, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Microglia, SARS-CoV-2
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