Neurobiochemical Cross-talk Between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's Disease

Mol Neurobiol. 2021 Mar;58(3):1017-1023. doi: 10.1007/s12035-020-02177-w. Epub 2020 Oct 19.

Abstract

COVID-19, the global threat to humanity, shares etiological cofactors with multiple diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Understanding the common links between COVID-19 and AD would harness strategizing therapeutic approaches against both. Considering the urgency of formulating COVID-19 medication, its AD association and manifestations have been reviewed here, putting emphasis on memory and learning disruption. COVID-19 and AD share common links with respect to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors and pro-inflammatory markers such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, cytoskeleton-associated protein 4 (CKAP4), galectin-9 (GAL-9 or Gal-9), and APOE4 allele. Common etiological factors and common manifestations described in this review would aid in developing therapeutic strategies for both COVID-19 and AD and thus impact on eradicating the ongoing global threat. Thus, people suffering from COVID-19 or who have come round of it as well as people at risk of developing AD or already suffering from AD, would be benefitted.

Keywords: ACE2; ApoE4; Gal-9; Inflammation; Neuroinvasive.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine / physiology
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / complications
  • Alzheimer Disease / physiopathology*
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 / physiology
  • Animals
  • Anosmia / etiology
  • Apolipoprotein E4 / genetics
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain / virology
  • COVID-19 / complications
  • COVID-19 / physiopathology*
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / etiology
  • Cytokines / physiology
  • Female
  • Galectins / physiology
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / etiology
  • Interleukins / physiology
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology
  • Mice
  • Receptors, Virus / physiology
  • SARS-CoV-2 / physiology*
  • Sex Factors
  • Smoking / adverse effects

Substances

  • Apolipoprotein E4
  • CKAP4 protein, human
  • Cytokines
  • Galectins
  • Interleukins
  • LGALS9 protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptors, Virus
  • ACE2 protein, human
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
  • Acetylcholine