Research shows promising results to improve sensory neural losses in COVID-19 patients

COVID-19, unlike most respiratory viruses, targets several organ systems including the kidneys, lungs, brain and respiratory tract. The infection expresses and evolves differently in different patients. In the nervous system, we know it can trigger sensory neural loss of taste and smell capabilities. But we do not yet know why. We also do not know why these losses impact some patients but not others; and for those affected, whether the loss is due to their neural wiring misfiring.

Kai Zhao, PhD, and his team of colleagues conduct research that contributes to progress in figuring out effective ways to help patients recover after the loss of taste and smell. This work has led to a better understanding of linkages and prognoses through targeted therapy that can be delivered throughout the infection, inflammation and recovery processes. They have created a smell aid, a nasal plug, with the ability to improve air flow and ability for smell to reach the olfactory region through:

1. Inserting a plug into the nostril, expanding the airway and increasing direct air flow to the upper parts of the nasal passageway, where the olfactory neuron is expressed.
2. Addressing sensory loss similarly to how vision and hearing loss are addressed using corrective lenses and hearing aids. Zhao’s team provides the nasal plug device with enhanced external stimuli. Patients conduct testing at home and report results through an app.
3. Producing a novel, candy-based test that can test both taste (sweet and sour) and smell in the same study.
4. Publishing research data reporting that the COVID-19 variant Delta impacts sensory loss at a greater rate than other variants such as Alpha and Omicron. This data also shows that vaccination does not protect against sensory neural loss but does protect against hospitalization when infected.
5. Developing further testing to be delivered at three, six, nine and 12 months post-infection to assess the persistence of sensory loss and what could drive recovery.

This insight could contribute to the existing arsenal of public health measures for early detection of long COVID and proven methods to proactively address sensory loss. The testing supplies are low-cost, contain ingredients with long shelf lives and are easily deployed.