Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Potentially Affected by COVID-19

Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Potentially Affected by COVID-19

COVID-19 and the Brain: What Research Suggests

Let's dive into the interesting findings from a recent study at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh. They examined Electroencephalography (EEG) test results from over 600 patients to understand how COVID-19 affects the brain.

Here's the lowdown on their discoveries:

1. Nearly one-third of the abnormal EEG findings were in the frontal lobes, leading researcher Dr. Zulfi Haneef to speculate a connection between the virus' entry point in the nose and the brain region located close by. He believes expanded EEG testing and other brain imaging like MRI or CT scans could offer more insights we need.
2. The severity of the disease and pre-existing neurological conditions like epilepsy may intensify EEG abnormalities. The researchers noted a positive correlation between these factors and the extent of brain abnormalities.
3. Diffuse slowing in the background electrical activity of the brain was detected in almost 70% of patients.
4. Recovered COVID-19 patients often complain about ongoing health issues, one being "brain fog." A preprint study on MedRxiv posits the infection could age people cognitively by about a decade. While experts aren't entirely convinced, the EEG findings contribute to these concerns. After all, given the abnormal EEG patterns, long-term impacts on the brain may not be a figment of people's imagination!

But, remember, the virus isn't solely responsible for all the damage. systemic effects such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, sticky blood, and cardiac arrest could play a role, too.

On a positive note, about 56.8% of patients with follow-up EEG tests showed improvements. Yet, the study had limitations, such as lacking access to individual raw data and the possibility of doctors omitting normal EEG reports or performing more tests on patients with neurological symptoms.

So, while we've made strides in understanding COVID-19's impact on the brain, there's still much to learn. Keep an eye on the latest developments as we push towards unlocking COVID-19's mysteries!

1. The study on COVID-19 and the brain suggested that pre-existing medical conditions like epilepsy could potentially intensify any abnormalities detected in Electroencephalography (EEG) tests.
2. Researchers noticed a significant correlation between the severity of COVID-19 and abnormalities found in EEG tests, highlighting the potential role of the virus in affecting mental health and neurological disorders.
3. The research also revealed that diffuse slowing in the background electrical activity of the brain was detected in almost 70% of the patients studied, raising concerns about long-term effects on cognition.
4. Among other health issues reported by recovered COVID-19 patients, "brain fog" has been a common complaint, prompting scientific discussion on the potential long-term impact of the virus on the brain and overall health-and-wellness, including mental health and neurological disorders.

Read also: