Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
Published on Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (https://www.j-alz.com)

Home > Is the Frontal Lobe the Primary Target of SARS-CoV-2?

TitleIs the Frontal Lobe the Primary Target of SARS-CoV-2?
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2021
AuthorsToniolo, S, Di Lorenzo, F, Scarioni, M, Frederiksen, KSteen, Nobili, F
JournalJ Alzheimers Dis
Volume81
Issue1
Pagination75-81
Date Published2021
ISSN1875-8908
KeywordsAcute Febrile Encephalopathy, Biomarkers, COVID-19, Delirium, Electroencephalography, Frontal Lobe, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nerve Net, SARS-CoV-2, Virulence
Abstract

Acute delirium and other neuropsychiatric symptoms have frequently been reported in COVID-19 patients and are variably referred to as acute encephalopathy, COVID-19 encephalopathy, SARS-CoV-2 encephalitis, or steroid-responsive encephalitis. COVID-19 specific biomarkers of cognitive impairment are currently lacking, but there is some evidence that SARS-CoV-2 could preferentially and directly target the frontal lobes, as suggested by behavioral and dysexecutive symptoms, fronto-temporal hypoperfusion on MRI, EEG slowing in frontal regions, and frontal hypometabolism on 18F-FDG-PET imaging. We suggest that an inflammatory parainfectious process targeting preferentially the frontal lobes (and/or frontal networks) could be the underlying cause of these shared clinical, neurophysiological, and imaging findings in COVID-19 patients. We explore the biological mechanisms and the clinical biomarkers that might underlie such disruption of frontal circuits and highlight the need of standardized diagnostic procedures to be applied when investigating patients with these clinical findings. We also suggest the use of a unique label, to increase comparability across studies.

DOI10.3233/JAD-210008
Alternate JournalJ Alzheimers Dis
PubMed ID33720900
E-mail Icon
Comment Icon
  • Comment
Bookmark Icon Bookmark Recommend Icon Recommend Follow Icon Follow
  • Comment
| Bookmark | Recommend | Follow

Source URL: https://www.j-alz.com/content/frontal-lobe-primary-target-sars-cov-2