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Alzheimer's disease in elderly COVID-19 patients: potential mechanisms and preventive measures.
- Source :
- Neurological Sciences; Dec2021, Vol. 42 Issue 12, p4913-4920, 8p, 2 Diagrams
- Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Advanced age correlates with higher morbidity and mortality among patients affected with the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Because systemic inflammation and neurological symptoms are also common in severe COVID-19 cases, there is concern that COVID-19 may lead to neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this review, we summarize possible mechanisms by which infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19, may cause AD in elderly COVID-19 patients and describe preventive measures to mitigate risk. Potential mechanisms include NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL-1β release, renin-angiotensin system hyperactivation, innate immune activation, oxidative stress, direct viral infection, and direct cytolytic β-cell damage. Anti-inflammatory therapies, including TNF-α inhibitors and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antioxidants such as the vitamin E family, nutritional intervention, physical activity, blood glucose control, and vaccination are proposed as preventive measures to minimize AD risk in COVID-19 patients. Since several risk factors for AD may converge during severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, neurologists should be alert for potential symptoms of AD and actively implement preventive measures in patients presenting with neuropsychiatric symptoms and in high-risk patients such as the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2
OLDER patients
ALZHEIMER'S disease
COVID-19 pandemic
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 15901874
- Volume :
- 42
- Issue :
- 12
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Neurological Sciences
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 153954803
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-021-05616-1