Brain's Frontal Lobes Affected by COVID-19: Disruption of Electrical Activity Observed
The impact of COVID-19 on the brain has been a recent area of interest among researchers. A review of studies has suggested that neurological symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, and seizures, are common among severe COVID-19 patients, with approximately 15-25% of those affected experiencing such symptoms [1].
To delve deeper into this connection, researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed EEG results from 617 patients, reported in 84 different studies. Intriguingly, the researchers found that a considerable number of abnormalities were centered in the frontal lobes of the brain.
"It seems that the most likely entry point for the virus is the nose, so there's a connection between the part of the brain that's located directly next to that entry point," explains Dr. Zulfi Haneef, one of the study's co-authors [2]. He adds that more EEG tests and other brain imaging techniques, like MRI or CT scans, should be conducted to get a better look at the frontal lobe.
However, the researchers warn that the virus may not be solely responsible for the damage observed in the brain. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest, might also play a role in the EEG abnormalities [1].
One such effect is the phenomenon known as "brain fog," which some recovering COVID-19 patients have reported. A recent study, while not yet peer-reviewed, found that individuals who claimed to have had COVID-19 performed worse on an online cognitive test than those who did not believe they had contracted the virus [3].
The study's findings highlight concerns about potential long-term effects on the brain. Dr. Haneef agrees, stating, "We have suspected that there might be long-term issues, and now we are finding more evidence to back that up" [2]. On a positive note, the research does show that improvements can be seen in some patients who undergo follow-up EEG tests.
Still, the study has some limitations, including the lack of access to raw data from individual studies, potential omissions of reported normal EEGs, and the possibility that anti-seizure medications may have obscured signs of seizures in EEG traces [1].
Despite these limitations, the connection between neurological symptoms of COVID-19 and EEG abnormalities adds to growing concerns about long-term effects on the brain. Further research is necessary to fully understand the correlation between the severity of COVID-19 and EEG abnormalities in the frontal lobes.
[1] All data and statistics are based on publicly available data at the time of publication. Visit our coronavirus hub for the most recent information on COVID-19. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/coronavirus
[2] Estimates vary, but approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may experience neurological symptoms. Doctors may refer patients who are experiencing neurological symptoms for an EEG test, a procedure that involves placing electrodes on the scalp to monitor the electrical activity of the brain. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/coronavirus
[3] For more advice on COVID-19 prevention and treatment, visit our coronavirus hub. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/coronavirus
Enrichment Data:- Neurocognitive Impairment and COVID-19: Research suggests that COVID-19 can result in neurocognitive impairments, which may be linked to changes in brain regions such as the frontal lobes. These impairments could potentially be reflected in EEG abnormalities, as the frontal lobes are involved in cognitive functions that might be affected by the virus[1][3].- Blood-Brain Barrier and COVID-19: Studies have shown that COVID-19 can cause changes in the blood-brain barrier, potentially affecting the brain's microstructure and cognitive function. Such changes might be detectable through EEG, although specific correlations with frontal lobe abnormalities are not detailed in the available results[2].- General EEG Abnormalities: EEG can reveal various brain function abnormalities, including those related to cognitive and alertness changes. However, specific research linking these abnormalities directly to the severity of COVID-19 and frontal lobe dysfunction is not explicitly mentioned in the provided sources.
To fully understand the correlation between COVID-19 severity and EEG abnormalities in the frontal lobes, further research specifically focusing on these aspects would be necessary.
- Severe COVID-19 patients may experience neurological symptoms such as seizures, with approximately 15-25% of affected individuals reporting such symptoms.
- A study conducted by researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh found that numerous EEG abnormalities were centered in the frontal lobes of COVID-19 patients.
- The connection between neurological symptoms of COVID-19 and EEG abnormalities raises concerns about potential long-term impacts on the brain, including cognitive impairments and neurocognitive disorders.
- Additional research is needed to fully understand the correlation between the severity of COVID-19 and EEG abnormalities in the frontal lobes, possibly through the use of EEG tests, MRI or CT scans, and other brain imaging techniques.
