Prolonged and extended impacts of SARS-CoV-2 on the olfactory neurocircuit
Megumi Kishimoto‐Urata, Shinji Urata, Ryoji Kagoya, Fumiaki Imamura, Shin Nagayama, Rachel A. Reyna, Junki Maruyama, Tatsuya Yamasoba, Kenji Kondo, Sanae Hasegawa‐Ishii, Slobodan Paessler
Abstract
The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the olfactory pathway was studied over several time points using Syrian golden hamsters. We found an incomplete recovery of the olfactory sensory neurons, prolonged activation of glial cells in the olfactory bulb, and a decrease in the density of dendritic spines within the hippocampus. These data may be useful for elucidating the mechanism underlying long-lasting olfactory dysfunction and cognitive impairment as a post-acute COVID-19 syndrome.
Topics & Concepts
Olfactory bulbOlfactory systemCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)NeuroscienceSensory systemHippocampusSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)OlfactionDendritic spine2019-20 coronavirus outbreakBiologyMedicineCentral nervous systemHippocampal formationInternal medicineVirologyDiseaseOutbreakInfectious disease (medical specialty)Olfactory and Sensory Function StudiesNeuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration MechanismsAdvanced Chemical Sensor Technologies