Zeitschrift für Morphologie und Anatomie

Severe acute Respiratory Influence on Adult Human Neurogenesis

Abstract

Paulina Felczak*

Infection with SARS coronavirus 2 is linked to the onset of neurological and psychiatric symptoms during and after the acute phase of illness. SARSCoV- 2-induced inflammation and hypoxia affect brain regions important for fine motor function, learning, memory, and emotional responses. The mechanisms underlying these central nervous system symptoms are mostly unknown. We investigated how SARS-CoV-2 affects neurogenesis while looking for the causes of neurological deficits. In this study, we compared a control group to a group of COVID-19 patients. Neurogenesis marker expression analysis revealed a decrease in the density of neuronal progenitor cells and newborn neurons in the SARS-CoV-2 group. Microglial activation was found to be higher in COVID-19 patients than in the control group.