Cytokine Storm in COVID19: A Neural Hypothesis
Anoop UR, Kavita Verma
Abstract
Cytokine storm in COVID-19 is characterized by an excessive inflammatory response to SARS-CoV-2 that is caused by a dysregulated immune system of the host. We are proposing a new hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 mediated inflammation of nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) may be responsible for the cytokine storm in COVID 19. The inflamed NTS may result in a dysregulated cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Topics & Concepts
Cytokine stormCytokineImmune systemInflammationMedicineImmunologyNeuroscienceCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)BiologyInternal medicineDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)Vagus Nerve Stimulation ResearchLong-Term Effects of COVID-19Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control