Cerebrolycin for Treatment of Covid-related Anosmia and Ageusia
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2021-03-30
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
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.