Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity May Be Affected by COVID-19
Research has shed light on the fact that abnormalities in the frontal part of the brain, as revealed by electroencephalography (EEG) tests, are prevalent among patients showing neurological symptoms related to COVID-19.
Coronavirus Data
Approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may face neurological issues such as headaches, confusion, impaired consciousness, seizures, strokes, and more. When dealing with such symptoms, doctors usually refer patients for an EEG test, which involves placing electrodes on the scalp to monitor the electrical activity of the brain.
To delve into COVID-19's influence on the brain, researchers from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, examined EEG results from 617 patients compiled in 84 different studies. The median age of the patients was 61.3 years, and two-thirds were males.
Highlighted Findings
The most frequent findings that the researchers identified were slowed brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges. Interestingly, the extent of the EEG abnormalities was positively correlated with the disease's severity and the presence of preexisting neurological conditions such as epilepsy.
The Frontal Lobe: The Possible Attack Point
Dr. Zulfi Haneef, an assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor and one of the study’s co-authors, points out that the most likely entry point for the virus is the nose, which is located directly adjacent to the frontal lobe of the brain. This finding suggests that a closer examination of the frontal lobe may be crucial to understanding COVID-19's impact on the brain.
While the virus may not be directly responsible for all the damage, systemic effects of the infection like inflammation, low oxygen levels, sticky blood, and cardiac arrest may play a role in EEG abnormalities extending beyond the frontal lobes.
Long COVID: Brain Fog and Beyond
Recovery from COVID-19 isn’t always a smooth sailing journey for everyone. Some survivors have reported ongoing health problems now referred to as long COVID. Among these is "brain fog."
A recent, preprint study found that individuals who claimed to have had COVID-19 performed less well on an online cognitive test than those who did not think they had contracted the virus. The authors suggest that the infection may age people cognitively by around a decade.
Despite the study's limitations, Dr. Haneef highlights that EEG abnormalities associated with COVID-19's neurological symptoms add to concerns about long-term effects on the brain. "A lot of people think they will get the illness, get well, and everything will go back to normal, but these findings tell us that there might be long-term issues, which is something we have suspected, and now we are finding more evidence to back that up," says Dr. Haneef.
On a positive note, 56.8% of the patients who underwent follow-up EEG tests showed improvements.
Stay Informed:
For the latest updates and advice on COVID-19 prevention and treatment, visit our coronavirus hub.
- The coronavirus has been linked to various neurological issues, such as seizures, in patients with severe COVID-19.
- Researchers examining EEG results from over 600 patients have identified slowed brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges as the most frequent findings among COVID-19 patients, with the extent of the abnormalities correlated with the disease's severity and the presence of preexisting neurological conditions like epilepsy.
- The frontal lobe, which is located close to the nose and may serve as the virus's possible entry point, is a crucial area to study for understanding COVID-19's impact on the brain.
- The long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain, including cognitive decline and ongoing neurological symptoms, are a growing concern, with EEG abnormalities associated with COVID-19's neurological symptoms adding to these concerns. However, some improvements have been observed during follow-up EEG tests in a significant percentage of patients.
To stay informed on COVID-19 prevention, treatment, and further research related to its impact on health and wellness, mental health, and neurological disorders, visit our coronavirus hub.
