COVID 19 may affect Central Nervous System causing loss of smell & taste: Study

New Delhi: While exploring the neuroinvasive nature of the COVID 19 virus SARS-CoV-2, the Jodhpur Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) has highlighted that this can affect the Central Nervous System causing loss of smell and taste of infected patients.

Dr. Surajit Ghosh and his team at IIT Jodhpur have



pointed out that SARS-CoV-2 is known to interact with a specific human receptor known as hACE2 (human angiotensin-converting enzyme-2) which also happens to be the entry point of the virus and has an almost ubiquitous presence in most human organs ranging from lung parenchyma to nasal mucosa. The brain is also known to express this receptor.