text: Infectivity of human coronavirus in the brain A new strain of human coronaviruses hCoVs Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 SARS CoV 2 has been identified to be responsible for the current outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 COVID 19 Though major symptoms are primarily generated from the respiratory system neurological symptoms are being reported in some of the confirmed cases raising concerns of its potential for intracranial invasion and neurological manifestations both in the acute phase and in the long term At present it remains unclear the extent to which SARS CoV 2 is present in the brain and if so its pathogenic role in the central nervous system CNS Evidence for neuroinvasion and neurovirulence of hCoVs has been recognised in animal and human studies Given that SARS CoV 2 belongs to the same family and shares characteristics in terms of receptor binding properties it is worthwhile exploring its potential CNS manifestations This review summarises previous findings from hCoVs in relation to the CNS and compares these with the new strain aiming to provide a better understanding of the effects of SARS CoV 2 on the CNS 