The bidirectional links between coronavirus disease 2019 and Alzheimer's disease.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be a critical disease, particularly in the elderly and those with comorbidities. Patients with Alzheimer's disease are more vulnerable to COVID-19 consequences. The latest results have indicated some common risk factors for both diseases. An understanding of the pathological link between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease will help develop timely strategies to treat both diseases. This review explores the bidirectional links between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease.

Neurological pathologies in acute acquired comitant esotropia.

BACKGROUND: Acute acquired comitant esotropia (AACE) is an uncommon subtype of esotropia characterized by sudden and usually late onset of a relatively large angle of comitant esotropia with diplopia in older children and adults. METHODS: A literature survey regarding neurological pathologies in AACE was conducted using databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, BioMed Central, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) in order to collect data for a narrative review of published reports and available literature. RESULTS: The results of the literature survey were analyzed to provide an overview of the current knowledge of neurological pathologies in AACE. The results revealed that AACE with unclear etiologies can occur in many cases in both children and adults. Functional etiological factors for AACE were found to be due to many reasons, such as functional accommodative spasm, the excessive near work use of mobile phones/smartphones, and other digital screens. In addition, AACE was found to be associated with neurological disorders, such as astrocytoma of the corpus callosum, medulloblastoma, tumors of the brain stem or cerebellum, Arnold-Chiari malformation, cerebellar astrocytoma, Chiari 1 malformation, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, pontine glioma, cerebellar ataxia, thalamic lesions, myasthenia gravis, certain types of seizures, and hydrocephalus. CONCLUSIONS: Previously reported cases of AACE with unknown etiologies have been reported in both children and adults. However, AACE can be associated with neurological disorders that require neuroimaging probes. The author recommends that clinicians should perform comprehensive neurological assessments to rule out neurological pathologies in AACE, especially in the presence of nystagmus or abnormal ocular and neurological indications (e.g., headache, cerebellar imbalance, weakness, nystagmus, papilloedema, clumsiness, and poor motor coordination).

Neurological pathologies associated with acute acquired comitant esotropia.

Previously reported cases of acute acquired comitant esotropia (AACE) with unknown etiologies have been reported in both children and adults. However, AACE can be associated with neurological disorders that require neuroimaging probes. The author recommends that clinicians should perform comprehensive neurological assessments to rule out neurological pathologies in AACE, especially in the presence of A or V pattern esotropia, nystagmus, or abnormal ocular and neurological indications (e.g. headache, cerebellar imbalance, weakness, nystagmus, papilloedema, clumsiness, and poor motor coordination).

The effect of amblyopia on saccadic eye movements.

The effect of amblyopia on several sensory and perceptual functions has been widely studied. However, relatively fewer studies have evaluated the influence of amblyopia on visuomotor aspects. This concise but comprehensive collection of materials is to show how saccadic eye movements are severely affected by amblyopia and therefore spatiotemporal coordination between the visual and motor systems is distorted. The author hopes that recognition of these saccade deficits in amblyopia can help all eye professionals and neurologists to consider validated clinical tests related to saccadic eye movements in patients with amblyopia as these tests are not presently performed in routine clinical eye examinations.

A proposal to apply brain injury recovery treatments for cognitive impairment in COVID-19 survivors.

There is still little information about the nature and broader prevalence of cognitive problems during post-infection in COVID-19 survivors. This is also the case for pathobiological findings related to these complications. In the meantime, there is mounting alarm regarding potential long-term outcomes of COVID-19, with descriptions of 'long COVID' symptoms keeping up into the chronic stage, which include 'brain fog'. The cognitive impairment or brain fog creates many difficulties in daily activities and makes problems for those who wish to successfully return to their job. The author proposes applying brain injury recovery treatments for cognitive impairment in COVID-19 survivors.

The Implication of Alu cDNA in the Pathogenesis of ARMD.

Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD or AMD) is a progressive, sight-threatening disease. The pathogenesis of ARMD is complex, involving many factors, such as metabolic, functional, genetic, and environmental factors. Recently, long interspersed nuclear element-1 (L1)- mediated reverse transcription (RT) of Alu RNA into cytoplasmic Alu complementary DNA (cDNA) has been associated with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) destruction. These findings provide a strong input for a new direction in the management of ARMD, as certain human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drugs, such as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), were found to suppress inflammation and protect cells of the retina.

Postural stability in strabismus and amblyopia.

BACKGROUND: Postural control is a complex skill based on the collaboration of dynamic sensory mechanisms, namely the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems. METHODS: A literature survey regarding postural stability in strabismus and amblyopia was conducted using databases in order to collect data for a narrative review of published reports and available literature. RESULTS: The results of the literature survey were analyzed to provide an overview of the current knowledge of postural stability in strabismus and amblyopia. The results revealed that although postural control depends on the fundamental integration of three essential components (the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems), the role of vision is critical in postural stability. Once normal binocular vision is undesirably disrupted in childhood by some reason, especially in strabismus and/or amblyopia, balance is also affected. Abnormal balance affects coordination in gross and fine motor controls in school-age children and results in weakened academic performance and delayed social progress. It also impacts a child's general health, self-esteem, and safety. CONCLUSIONS: Binocular vision is imperative for the maturation and preservation of balance control in children, as balance performance is reduced in strabismus and/or amblyopia.

Factors of noncompliance with prescribed eye drops in patients undergoing cataract surgery.

In the face of enormous evidence supporting the significance of using prescribed eye drops before and after cataract surgery, noncompliance is still a common issue. Improvements in cataract surgical procedures with no dedication to support patients throughout their pre-operative management and post-operative recovery deliver low-quality healthcare and may lead to substantial harm to the patient and the public. Therefore, it is vital for clinicians to carefully address the factors of noncompliance with prescribed eye drops and then educate their patients regarding this. This article provides full details of the factors affecting noncompliance with prescribed eye drops in patients undergoing cataract surgery.

The functional and structural changes in the hippocampus of COVID-19 patients.

Since the hippocampus is predominantly susceptible to injuries caused by COVID-19, there are increasing data indicating the likelihood of post-infection memory loss and quickening neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. This is due to the fact that the hippocampus has imperative functions in spatial and episodic memory as well as learning. COVID-19 activates microglia in the hippocampus and induces a CNS cytokine storm, leading to loss of hippocampal neurogenesis. The functional and structural changes in the hippocampus of COVID-19 patients can explain neuronal degeneration and reduced neurogenesis in the human hippocampus. This will open a window to explain memory and cognitive dysfunctions in "long COVID" through the resultant loss of hippocampal neurogenesis.

Brain fog as a Long-term Sequela of COVID-19.

Increasing data indicate that people infected with COVID-19 are at high risk for developing long-term neurological complications, such as "brain fog" or cognitive impairment. However, little is known about the long-term outcomes of COVID-19 survivors. This also applies to the prevalence, risk factors, and pathobiological findings associated with these consequences. Although cognitive complications are anticipated in patients who require a long-lasting hospital stay or intubation, milder cases of COVID-19 with no record of hospitalization have also been shown to experience assessable cognitive challenges. Cognitive impairment can have a devastating impact on daily functioning. Understanding the long-term effect of COVID-19 on cognitive function is vital for applying specific schemes to those who wish to return to their jobs productively.