COVID-19 and the Chemical Senses: Supporting Players Take Center Stage

Keiland W. Cooper (First Author), David H. Brann (Co-Author), Michael C. Farruggia (Co-Author), Surabhi Bhutani (Co-Author), Robert Pellegrino (Co-Author), Tatsuya Tsukahara (Co-Author), Caleb Weinreb (Co-Author), Paule V. Joseph (Co-Author), Eric D. Larson (Co-Author), Valentina Parma (Co-Author), Mark W. Albers (Co-Author), Linda A. Barlow* (Co-Author), Sandeep Robert Datta* (Co-Author), Antonella Di Pizio* (Last Author)

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview article / Perspectivespeer-review

250 Scopus citations

Abstract

The main neurological manifestation of COVID-19 is loss of smell or taste. The high incidence of smell loss without significant rhinorrhea or nasal congestion suggests that SARS-CoV-2 targets the chemical senses through mechanisms distinct from those used by endemic coronaviruses or other common cold-causing agents. Here we review recently developed hypotheses about how SARS-CoV-2 might alter the cells and circuits involved in chemosensory processing and thereby change perception. Given our limited understanding of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, we propose future experiments to elucidate disease mechanisms and highlight the relevance of this ongoing work to understanding how the virus might alter brain function more broadly.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)219-233
Number of pages15
JournalNeuron
Volume107
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 22 Jul 2020

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