COVID-19 also Affects the Nervous System by One of its Gates: The Vascular Organ of Lamina Terminalis and the Olfactory Nerve. Neurological Alert, Dysosmia or Anosmia Test Can Help to A Quick Diagnosis

Jorge Eduardo Duque Parra; Daniela Duque Montoya & Félix John César Peláez

Summary

A brief review of the vascular organ of lamina terminalis (organum vasculosum laminae terminalis) and the olfactory nerve is presented, the former is an hypothalamic neuroanatomical element related to the production of antidiuretic hormone and its association as a potential route of invasion of the COVID-19 to the central nervous system, affecting the physiological regulation of hormone release related to sodium homeostasis. The neurotropism of this virus is also linked when it is associated with the olfactory nerve, an evagination of the brain in which its functionality is altered by the generation of dysosmia, among other neurosemiological characteristics. The need arises to warn health professionals in general and neurologists in particular, about the potential neurological disorders related to this pandemic before and after the spread of this virus and to implement a rapid olfactory test with acetic acid, even before other evaluations such as hyperthermia, cough and headache.

KEY WORDS: COVID-19, neurology, vascular organ of lamina terminalis, sodium.

How to cite this article

DUQUE PARRA, J. E.; DUQUE MONTOYA, D. & PELÁEZ, F. J. C. COVID-19 also affects the nervous system by one of its gates: the vascular organ of lamina terminalis and the olfactory nerve. Neurological alert, dysosmia or anosmia test can help to a quick diagnosis. Int. J. Odontostomat., 14(3):285-287, 2020.