Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Potentially Affected by COVID-19
COVID-19, the devilish coronavirus, is causing more than just a sniffle and fever; it's messing with our noggin, too! According to a recent review of research, those frontal lobes of the brain, right next to the virus' entry point (your nozzle), can suffer some nastiness if you catch this bug.
In the review, Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh looked at 617 patients who underwent EEG tests for neurological symptoms related to COVID-19. Guess what they found? Abnormalities in the frontal lobes — approximately one-third of the cases!
"The virus seems to have a thing for the frontal lobe, man," said Dr. Zulfi Haneef, a neurologist at Baylor. "With the virus entering through the nose, it's like it can't help but screw with the brain's control center."
These EEG abnormalities aren't all down to the virus itself; systemic issues, like inflammation, low oxygen levels, sticky blood, and heart troubles, could be contributing to the problem, too.
Since the frontal lobe is involved in executive functions, such as decision-making, planning, and problem-solving, these abnormalities could lead to some serious brain fog. In fact, a recent study found that survivors of COVID-19 performed worse on cognitive tests than those who hadn't been infected, suggesting long-term cognitive decline.
On the flip side, the review noted that half of the patients showed improvements during follow-up EEG tests. But, given the potential for long-term neurological complications, Haneef stresses the importance of continued research into the noggin-related effects of COVID-19.
So, keep your wits about you, folks! Keep tabs on these viral scallywags and protect your head. And remember—brainwaves don't lie!
- The coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has been found to affect the frontal lobes of the brain, a region next to its entry point, causing abnormalities in approximately one-third of cases as revealed by a study on 617 patients who underwent electroencephalography (EEG) tests.
- Abnormalities in EEG tests could be indicative of potential neurological disorders, such as epilepsy seizures, given that the frontal lobe is involved in executive functions like decision-making, planning, and problem-solving.
- The review conducted by Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh hints at a possible link between COVID-19 and long-term cognitive decline, as survivors have been found to perform worse on cognitive tests compared to those who haven't been infected.
- It's not only the virus itself that could be causing these neurological symptoms; systemic issues like inflammation, low oxygen levels, sticky blood, and heart troubles could also be contributing factors.
- However, there is some good news: half of the patients showed improvements during follow-up EEG tests, but continuous research is crucial to understand the potential long-term neurological complications associated with COVID-19.
- Given the potential impact of COVID-19 on mental health, neurological disorders, and overall health-and-wellness, it is essential to stay vigilant, monitor viral scallywags, and take necessary precautions to protect ourselves and our brains.
