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Fig. 1 | Alzheimer's Research & Therapy

Fig. 1

From: Cognitive impact of COVID-19: looking beyond the short term

Fig. 1

Mechanisms of cerebrovascular damage in COVID-19. a The virus reaches the central nervous system through inhalation (1) and lung infection followed by haematogenous spread (2), or through the nasal mucosa and olfactory nerve fibres (3). b A high proportion of COVID-19 patients with severe disease develop cerebrovascular disease. In addition to hypoxic-ischaemic brain damage from compromised respiratory and cardiovascular function, the virus may cause large-vessel stroke, multiple small infarcts and foci of haemorrhage, and diffuse ischaemic white matter damage and oedema. Putative mechanisms are illustrated in the diagram. c Already, considerable progress has been made in preventing or ameliorating cerebrovascular damage in COVID-19. Some of the approaches are listed here

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