Cerebrolycin for Treatment of Covid-related Anosmia and Ageusia

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2021-03-30
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

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.

• Phase: Phase 4
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Assiut University
• Treatments: Cerebrolysin

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• A random sample of at least 100 adults with sudden hyposmia/anosmia and/or hypoageusia/ageusia during COVID-19 pandemics which persist till the onset of the study. Persisting symptoms were defined by the presence at day 30 or day 60 of anosmia/ageusia.

• Patients who experienced persistent olfactory and/or smell manifestations after recovery from their initial acute COVID-19 illness.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prior neurologic, medical or psychiatric disease.

• Other known infection at onset

• Nasal congestion

• Nasal polyps

• Surgery or head trauma or radiation for head and neck cancers as may result in injury to the nerves that control smell

• Exposure to toxic chemicals (such as pesticides and solvents)

• Cocaine or other drug abuse