SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Alpha-Synucleinopathies: Potential Links and Underlying Mechanisms

This review examines the potential connections between SARS-CoV-2 infection and alpha-synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). It suggests that COVID-19 may exacerbate these conditions by promoting alpha-synuclein misfolding and aggregation, potentially acting as an environmental trigger. A meta-analysis involving 538 COVID-19 patients and 523 controls found a correlation between COVID-19 and proteins involved in PD, with alpha-synuclein identified as a hub protein. However, studies on alpha-synuclein levels in COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms did not show significant changes, indicating the need for further research. The document also discusses the impact of COVID-19 on PD patients, the potential neuroinvasion pathways of the virus, and therapeutic strategies, emphasizing the need for further investigation into these complex relationships.