Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity May Be Affected by COVID-19
Investigating the Brain and COVID-19: Focus on the Frontal Lobe
COVID-19 has been proven to affect a significant number of patients neurologically, causing symptoms like headaches, confusion, and seizures. Healthcare professionals often refer patients with such symptoms for an Electroencephalography (EEG) test to monitor brain activity.
New research sheds light on the connection between COVID-19 and the frontal lobe of the brain. Dr. Zulfi Haneef, an assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor College of Medicine, shares his insights on this topic.
"Given the most likely entry point of the virus is the nose, it's intriguing to see an association with brain abnormalities in the region adjacent to it," explains Dr. Haneef.
In their study, researchers analyzed EEG results from 617 patients, found in 84 different studies, with a median age of 61.3 years, and two-thirds being males. The research identified several common findings, including slow brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges, particularly in the frontal lobes.
It's worth noting that the virus may not be solely responsible for the damage observed; systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and unusual blood thickness, may contribute to EEG abnormalities across multiple brain regions.
The study indicates that COVID-19 can lead to "diffuse slowing," a type of slowing in the background electrical activity of the whole brain, in almost 70% of patients.
Another pressing concern is the impact of the virus on cognitive function, particularly the ongoing issue of "brain fog" in patients who have recovered from COVID-19. While research is still being conducted, findings suggest that COVID-19 may have aged people cognitively by around a decade.
The frontal lobe is crucial for cognitive processes, decision-making, and emotional regulation, so it's alarming that its function may be compromised for some individuals recovering from COVID-19. The study highlights the need for investigating EEGs and other brain imaging techniques, such as MRI or CT scans, to gain a closer understanding of the frontal lobe's status in patients with COVID-19.
Despite some limitations, such as limited access to raw data and possible skewing of results due to doctor bias, the study offers valuable insights into the relationship between COVID-19 and the frontal lobe. It provides a stepping stone in the ongoing quest to understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain, which is vital in helping patients recover from the disease and minimize any lingering neurological impacts.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7273357/[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536988/[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5735695/[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3066798/
[1] The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been associated with various medical conditions, including neurological disorders such as epilepsy seizures.
[2] The frontal lobe, a significant part of the brain, has been under investigation in relation to COVID-19, and researchers have found a connection between the virus and abnormalities in this region.
[3] Mental health and cognitive function, critical aspects of health and wellness, are also being explored in the context of COVID-19. Studies suggest that COVID-19 may cause cognitive decline and mental health issues, potentially aging people's brains by roughly a decade.
[4] As COVID-19 affects the brain in various ways, it's essential to continue researching its impacts on brain structures like the frontal lobe, using tools like EEGs, MRIs, and CT scans, to fully comprehend its long-term effects on neurological disorders and overall health.
