Cerebrolycin for Treatment of Covid-related Anosmia and Ageusia

Summary

The loss of smell and taste is a prominent symptom of COVID-19. Studies found that patterns of smell loss due to Covid-19 infection differ from that of other respiratory viruses being much more profound in the Covid-19 patents and did not associate with runny, congested, or blocked-up nose. The researchers suggest that smell and taste testing can be used for fast COVID-19 screening. Studies found that the Covid-19 virus has similarities with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), which has been reported to enter the brain, via smell receptors in the nose. The sudden onset and relatively fast recovery in some patients suggest that COVID-19 anosmia is not caused by damage to the central nervous system but rather by the loss of smell information before it gets to the brain (smell receptors). They also found that it has different behavior from other respiratory viruses as it causes over-reaction of the immune system (or a cytokine storm). Trials to treat post-COVID anosmia using local steroid applications, sniffing of strong odors or scents or use of different vitamins (for several weeks to months) did not provide rapid, satisfactory or even significant recovery of olfactory dysfunction. Fortunately, the olfactory neurons can regenerate, however, studies reported variable prognoses, some patients recovered within weeks which others may have persistent deficits for months or even a year. In this study, the researchers hypothesize that cerebrolysin, a drug of neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties, can be used to treat patients with persistent post-COVID anosmia or ageusia or promote functional recovery of smell and taste deficits.

Timeline

Start

2020-08-01

Primary completion

2021-09-30

Completion

2022-10-30

Publications

• Background Chachkhiani D, Soliman MY, Barua D, Isakadze M, Villemarette-Pittman NR, Devier DJ, Lovera JF. Neurological complications in a predominantly African American sample of COVID-19 predict worse outcomes during hospitalization. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2020 Oct;197:106173. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2020.106173. Epub 2020 Aug 25.
• Background Shrestha GS, Khanal S, Sharma S, Nepal G. COVID-19: Current Understanding of Pathophysiology. J Nepal Health Res Counc. 2020 Nov 13;18(3):351-359. doi: 10.33314/jnhrc.v18i3.3028.
• Background Veinbergs I, Mante M, Mallory M, Masliah E. Neurotrophic effects of Cerebrolysin in animal models of excitotoxicity. J Neural Transm Suppl. 2000;59:273-80. doi: 10.1007/978-3-7091-6781-6_29.
• Results Lechien JR, Chiesa-Estomba CM, De Siati DR, Horoi M, Le Bon SD, Rodriguez A, Dequanter D, Blecic S, El Afia F, Distinguin L, Chekkoury-Idrissi Y, Hans S, Delgado IL, Calvo-Henriquez C, Lavigne P, Falanga C, Barillari MR, Cammaroto G, Khalife M, Leich P, Souchay C, Rossi C, Journe F, Hsieh J, Edjlali M, Carlier R, Ris L, Lovato A, De Filippis C, Coppee F, Fakhry N, Ayad T, Saussez S. Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions as a clinical presentation of mild-to-moderate forms of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19): a multicenter European study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2020 Aug;277(8):2251-2261. doi: 10.1007/s00405-020-05965-1. Epub 2020 Apr 6.
• Hamed SA, Ahmed MAA. The effectiveness of cerebrolysin, a multi-modal neurotrophic factor, for treatment of post-covid-19 persistent olfactory, gustatory and trigeminal chemosensory dysfunctions: a randomized clinical trial. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2023 Jul-Dec;16(12):1261-1276. doi: 10.1080/17512433.2023.2282715. Epub 2023 Dec 9.

Drugs

Indications