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Advanced Neurology

REVIEW ARTICLE
SARS-CoV-2 persistence: A potential catalyst for

age-associated neurodegenerative diseases

Ankita Sarkar and Sourish Ghosh*
Department of Infectious Disease and Immunology, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata,
West Bengal, India

Abstract
The persistence of RNA viruses in the brain is increasingly recognized as a significant
factor in the progression of age-related neurodegenerative diseases. This phenomenon
is particularly evident in infections caused by various neurotropic and non-neurotropic
viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the urgent need to explore the complex
relationship between viral persistence and neurological decline. Growing evidence
indicates that SARS-CoV-2 affects brain structure and function, although the precise
molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Chronic neuroinflammation
induced by viral infections is thought to accelerate age-related neurodegeneration.
While the immune system typically clears many viral infections in the brain, some
viruses establish chronic infections, leading to restricted viral replication. These
persistent infections can exacerbate neuroinflammation and contribute to ongoing
neuronal damage, key drivers of age-related neurodegeneration. This review explores
current knowledge on how SARS-CoV-2 infiltrates the brain, evades immune defenses,
*Corresponding author:
Sourish Ghosh and persists within brain cells, potentially using them as viral reservoirs. As individuals
(sourish@iicb.res.in) age, the cumulative effects of such viral infections may accelerate cognitive decline
and increase vulnerability to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and
Citation: Sarkar A, Ghosh S.
SARS-CoV-2 persistence: A Parkinson’s. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of viral persistence and its
potential catalyst for age-associated long-term impact on brain health is crucial for developing targeted therapies to
neurodegenerative diseases. combat these age-related diseases.
Adv Neurol. 2024;3(4):4267.
doi: 10.36922/an.4267
Received: July 17, 2024 Keywords: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Post-acute consequences
Accepted: September 20, 2024 of COVID-19; Neuro-COVID; Neurodegenerative disease; Viral persistence;
Neuroinflammation
Published Online: October 30,
2024
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s).
This is an Open-Access article 1. Introduction
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution As the world concentrates on the immediate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, a less
License, permitting distribution,
1
and reproduction in any medium, visible yet increasingly alarming issue is the long-term neurological effects of the virus.
provided the original work is Despite extensive efforts to develop vaccines and therapeutic interventions, SARS-CoV-2
properly cited. continues to pose a significant threat to public health and socioeconomic stability.
2
Publisher’s Note: AccScience This elusive virus forges connections with the nervous system through immunological
Publishing remains neutral with pathways or direct invasion, resulting in an array of neurological complications.
3
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional Alarmingly, viral persistence in the brain can trigger neurological issues in individuals
affiliations. without prior history or exacerbate existing conditions. 4

Volume 3 Issue 4 (2024) 1 doi: 10.36922/an.4267