Brain's frontal lobe electrical activity disrupted by COVID-19 infection
In a review of research, it's been discovered that irregularities in the frontal lobes of the brain, as found through EEG tests, are common among patients experiencing neurological symptoms with COVID-19. COVID-19 can lead to various neurological issues, affecting about 15-25% of patients with severe forms of the disease. Doctors may refer patients with such symptoms for EEG testing to monitor brain activity.
In an analysis of EEG results from 617 patients across 84 studies, researchers identified two primary findings: the slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges. The extent of these EEG abnormalities often correlates with the severity of the disease and pre-existing neurological conditions, such as epilepsy.
According to Dr. Zulfi Haneef, a co-author of the study from Baylor College of Medicine, the most likely entry point for the virus is the nose, which lines up with the location of the frontal lobes in the brain. He suggests that EEG tests and other imaging techniques like MRI or CT scans be used more often to examine the frontal lobe in patients with COVID-19.
However, the study also highlights that the virus may not be the sole cause of all the damage. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, sticky blood, and cardiac arrest, may also contribute to EEG abnormalities beyond the frontal lobes.
One of the long-term effects reported by people who have recovered from COVID-19 is "brain fog." A recent study found that individuals who claim to have had COVID-19 performed less well on an online cognitive test compared to those who did not contract the virus, suggesting that the infection may age cognitive abilities by approximately a decade. Although this study does not definitively prove that the infection caused long-term cognitive decline, it does raise concerns about potential lasting effects on the brain.
Dr. Haneef notes that the EEG abnormalities associated with neurological symptoms of COVID-19 infection add to these concerns. "While we think people will recover from the illness, there might be long-term issues," he says. However, on the positive side, 56.8% of patients who underwent follow-up EEG tests showed improvements.
This research highlights the importance of continued study on how COVID-19 affects the brain and the potential long-term consequences for patients. While EEG abnormalities are common, many cases may not be caused directly by the virus and may be the result of systemic effects. Developing a better understanding of COVID-19's impact on the brain will be crucial in addressing long-term health issues for those who have recovered.
Key Insights
- Common EEG findings in COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms include diffuse slowing (79% of cases) and focal slowing (7% of cases).
- EEG abnormalities can indicate disease severity, with more profound abnormalities often seen in severe cases and those with pre-existing neurological conditions.
- Acute COVID-19 can lead to seizure activity or even brain death in severe cases.
- Systemic effects of COVID-19, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest, may also contribute to EEG abnormalities.
- Long-term cognitive decline or "brain fog" has been reported by some people who have recovered from COVID-19. EEG abnormalities associated with neurological symptoms add to concerns about lasting effects on the brain.
- The review of research on COVID-19 patients has shown that slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges, often referred to as EEG abnormalities, are common among those experiencing neurological symptoms.
- These EEG abnormalities in COVID-19 patients are often linked to the severity of the disease and pre-existing neurological conditions such as epilepsy.
- CBD, a compound often used for its potential therapeutic effects on neurological disorders and mental health, could potentially be of interest in studying COVID-19's impact on the brain.
- As the research indicates, understanding the long-term effects of COVID-19 on health-and-wellness, including mental health and neurological disorders like epilepsy and seizures, is crucial for addressing potential long-term health issues in patients who have recovered.
