COVID-19 patients have shown symptoms of direct and indirect neurological effects, from changes in taste and smell, to immunologic factors in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF).  It is unknown whether these phenomena are the result of neurological damage, of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and/or of indirect effects of the immune response. Furthermore, studies in mice have shown that neurons are susceptible to infection, suggesting that cells of the CNS may contribute to the deteriorating breathing and respiratory function of COVID-19 patients. The image below is an early hypothesized mechanism of viral entry through nasal and oral mucosa cells, though there is not yet any evidence to support this hypothesis.

Effects of COVID-19 on the Central Nervous System

Even in the absence of typical respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, various patients diagnosed with COVID-19 have presented neurological symptoms, such as:

- acute cerebrovascular diseases

- impaired consciousness

-  skeletal muscle injury

- encephalopathy (symptoms: ischemic stroke)

- loss of smell (anosmia) and taste (ageusia)

- stroke

- cranial nerve deficits

- delirium

- meningitis

- paralysis

- seizures

- neuroinflammatory syndromes

- high pressure CSF

- muscle stiffness

The list below includes less-common neurological symptoms of COVID-19:
- Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS)
- Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)

Neurological symptoms Presented in COVID-19 Patients

The study of the physiological basis for cognition.

Cognitive Neuroscience

- Brain
- Neurons
- Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
- Neurological diseases
- Central nervous system (CNS)

Focuses of neuroscience (neurobiology) 

An intersection between psychology, neuroscience and economics that studies how brain activation corresponds with decisions of gains and losses.

Neuroeconomics

As the relapse prevention model discusses, many individuals recovering from addiction return to their behavior at some point during/after treatment. Researchers have begun to look at this idea of relapse and relapse prevention from a neuroscience perspective. This perspective could help further the understanding of why, on a brain level, individuals relapse and how we could possibly help. There is not a large consensus yet, but the research is looking at many factors including pathways, styles, and stages of recovery, as well as the possibility of reversing or diminishing the brain dysregulation that results from addiction.

Neuroscience approach to relapse and relapse prevention

The study of behavior, emotion, and cognition and how they relate to brain function

Neuropsychology

This looks at how behavior and the environment are affecting the neural development of humans through their lifetime.

Behavioral Neuroscience

Discipline that is concerned with hormonal development, its interaction with the nervous system, its secretion and associated physiological and behavioral effects.

Neuroendocrinology

A distinct line of inquiry with the goal of understanding which systems of the brain are activated during mindfulness practice to determine the effects that both short and long-term practice has on brain function and structure.

Neurobiology of Mindfulness

The study of Emotion Regulation within the lens of Neurobiology. More specifically, understanding what brain functions correspond to Emotion Regulation. 

The Neurobiology of Emotion Regulation

Biopsychology, also known as biological psychology, is a subfield of psychology that examines the influence of biological processes on behavior. It typically focuses on the immediate causes of behavior rooted in the physiology of an organism, with a primary emphasis on the nervous system's structure and function. This field is highly interdisciplinary, drawing on expertise from researchers with backgrounds in biology, medicine, physiology, and chemistry, and is considered a key component within the broader field of neuroscience.

Biopsychology (Biological Psychology)

A human's nervous system is in charge of managing our cognitions, movements, and responses. It is comprised of billions of neurons, glial cells, and the central and peripheral nervous systems. 

Nervous System

A person accidentally touches a hot surface and immediately withdraws their hand. Which of the following best analyzes the roles of the two major divisions of the nervous system in this reflex action?

The scientific field of study of nervous system function and development. The human nervous system is comprised of the central (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral  (nerves and ganglia branching from brain and spinal cord) nervous systems. These are referred to as the CNS and PNS, respectively.

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Smith College

Google

Georgetown University

- Genetics and Inheritance
- Immune response
- Maintaining homeostasis
- Neuroscience (Neurobiology)
- Organs

Focuses of Human physiology

- Anatomy
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
- Botany
- Cellular biology
- Ecology
- Evolutionary biology
- Genetics
- Health Sciences
- Marine biology
- Microbiology
- Molecular biology
- Neuroscience
- Paleontology
- Phycology
- Physiology
- Taxonomy
- Virology
- Zoology

Branches of Life Science

Biology

Wikipedia

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Neuroscience (Neurobiology)

The tendency in body systems to maintain a stable environment.  When homeostasis is disturbed, the body works to return itself to what it considers stable via negative feedback loops.  

Homeostasis

The mechanisms by which an organism eliminates pathogenic microbes and allergenic or toxic proteins, collectively known as antigens, in order to maintain normal function.  

Immune Response

Human Organs

The scientific field of study of traits and their passage from parents to offspring. Humans inherit 23 chromosomes from the father, and 23 from the mother. These 23 pairs of chromosomes consist of 22 autosomal chromosome pairs and one sex chromosome pair. The physical unit of inheritance is a gene, comprised of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) segments.

Genetics and Inheritance in Humans

The study of small organisms ranging from one cell to few cells to no cells at all. It encompasses fields such as virology, bacteriology, protistology, & mycology.

Microbiology

Evolutionary Biology studies the processes that produced the diversity of life on earth or study of the phylogenetic history of organisms on earth.

Evolutionary Biology

The molecular structures and processes of cellular life and their roles in the function, reproduction, and development of living organisms.

- The Central Dogma of Life
- Cell Organelles

Molecular and Cellular Biology

The study of the chemistry involved in life processes to explain form and function based on chemical principles.

Biochemistry

Ecology is a scientific discipline that focuses on interactions of living things in relation to their environment, and encourages understanding of the environment as our home.

Ecology

The study of the structure of living organisms.

Anatomy

The study of the use of living organisms to make products.

Biotechnology

Also called plant biology or plant science, this is the study of plants.

Botany (Phytology)

The study of the biology of organisms in oceans.

Marine biology

Phycology (Algology)

The study of functions in living organisms (how the organism works). 

Physiology

Zoology

Includes the interdisciplinary sciences that focuses on the study of health and health care in both practical applications and research. 

Health Sciences

All living things have the following characteristics: 
- Order
- Respond to Stimuli
- Reproduction
- Adaptation
- Growth & Development
- Homeostasis
- Energy Processing
- Evolution

Characteristics of Living Things

The human anatomy is comprised by many body systems, including:
* Nervous system
* Respiratory system
* Circulatory system
* Gastro-Intestinal (digestive) system
* Skeletal system
* Endocrine system
* Reproductive system
* Lymphatic system
* Immune system

Human Anatomy

The study of biological timing or "clocks" in living organisms.

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