COVID-19 in the brain: Virus attacks like a "Trojan horse" - severe long-term consequences possible

An infection with the coronavirus can have dire neurological consequences. Covid-19 often attacks the brain. Doctors warn of the great risk.

• The Covid-19 disease can attack all organs in the human body - including the brain .
• After an infection with the coronavirus * , neurological secondary diseases are possible.
• Here you will find the basic facts about the  coronavirus * and a map with the current number of cases in  Germany .

Munich - The corona virus is extremely dangerous, unfortunately there is no doubt about it. Doctors are still researching at full speed * for the specific processes in the human body that an illness with Covid-19 entails. The fact that the virus is not limited to the lungs but can attack all organs was a worrying finding some time ago. It is now becoming increasingly clear what damage the disease can cause in the brain .

So-called immune thrombosis leads - according to the current state of knowledge - to severe courses of the disease . Although these coagulation disorders also occur with ordinary flu and appear treatable, they are many times more common with a corona infection .

Coronavirus: Covid-19 can also attack the brain - like a "Trojan horse"?

How the viruses actually get into the brain is explained by researchers in two ways. The Federal Association of German Pathologists speaks of a threatening adaptability of the virus . At first glance, it is astonishing that it can establish itself in brain cells, because the receptor (ACE2) required for this is hardly available there. "Here neuropilin-1 is evidently the new entry receptor," explains Till Acker, neuropathologist at the University of Giessen, the MDR.

Experts from the Yale School of Medicine describe an even more insidious spread of SARS-CoV-2 . The viruses find their way through the human body like a “Trojan horse”. The above-mentioned receptor enzyme, ACE2, is hardly found in the brain. But new findings are increasingly showing it in the tissue of the central nervous system . When suffering from Covid-19, ACE2 apparently spreads more strongly in brain cells than in a healthy body. The researchers speak of a stimulating property of the corona viruses . The results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 itself ensures that the infection can spread.

Covid-19 in the brain: "Neuro-Covid" can provoke serious secondary diseases

Unfortunately, when it arrives in the human brain, the virus often kills those affected. The international studies coincide with this finding. About a third of all corona deaths had the virus in the brain cells, as numerous autopsies by independent pathologists have shown.

Even if the disease is not fatal, it can do so much damage and cause serious secondary diseases . Loss of smell and taste were recognized early on as symptoms of Covid-19 * . These warning signs specifically indicate an attack on the brain cells. Then doctors also speak of "Neuro-Covid".

Corona consequences: Loss of taste and smell can persist - permanent memory problems possible

These taste disturbances can persist for a long time even after recovery . However, far worse long-term consequences are possible. Occasionally, meningoencephalitis has been observed in Covid 19 patients . This disease of the brain and meninges can lead to persistent memory problems.

Corona consequences: Infection can cause brain damage and strokes: The coronavirus can also attack the brain and cause neurological deficits such as olfactory disorders or strokes. Researchers at the Charité have a possible ... https://t.co/DoJm6E07XC pic.twitter.com/qD68O1iXfY

Long-term effects of Covid-19: The virus can even cause paralysis

Even paralysis can set in after a Covid illness . The Guillain-Barré syndrome is responsible for this as a possible secondary disease . It occurs with inflammation in the nerve cells , which results in pain, abnormal sensations and, in the worst case, paralysis of the hands and feet .

In addition, experts fear the spread of chronic fatigue syndrome as a result of the corona pandemic. This has already been observed following previous outbreaks of SARS and MERS . Those affected are exhausted very quickly and struggle with constant fatigue. (* Merkur.de is part of the Ippen editorial network.)

List of rubric lists: © Peter Steffen / dpa