Brainstem Dysfunction in SARS-COV-2 Infection can be a Potential Cause of Respiratory Distress.

Background: A terrible pandemic, Covid-19, has captivated scientists to investigate if SARS-CoV-2 virus infects the central nervous system (CNS). A crucial question is if acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the main cause of death in this pandemic, and often refractory to treatments, can be explained by respiratory center dysfunction.

Objective: To discuss that ARDS can be caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection of the respiratory center in the brainstem.