Brain's Frontal Lobes Affected by COVID-19 Due to Electrical Disturbances
Taking a look at recent research, it's clear that abnormalities in the frontal part of the brain, as detected by electroencephalography (EEG) tests, are quite common among patients exhibiting neurological symptoms due to COVID-19.
According to research, around 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 experience neurological symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, seizures, and strokes. When these patients show such symptoms, doctors might suggest an EEG test, which involves placing electrodes on the scalp to monitor the electrical activity of the brain.
The experts from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, and the University of Pittsburgh, PA, reviewed EEG results from 617 patients, collected from 84 different studies. The majority of the patients were over the age of 61, with about two-thirds being males.
The most common EEG findings in this study were the slowing of brainwaves and abnormal electrical discharges. The researchers found that the more severe the disease and the higher the presence of preexisting neurological conditions, such as epilepsy, the more pronounced these abnormalities were.
One interesting observation made by Dr. Zulfi Haneef, one of the study's co-authors, is that the majority of the abnormalities were discovered in the frontal lobes of the brain, which is next to the likely entry point of the virus – the nose. Haneef suggests that EEG tests should be performed more frequently and various brain imaging techniques, like MRI or CT scans, should be utilized for a closer examination of the frontal lobe.
However, the researchers highlight that the virus may not be directly responsible for all the damage; systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusually "sticky" blood, and cardiac arrest, might play a role in EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes.
Some people who have recovered from COVID-19 continue to experience ongoing health problems, now referred to as "long COVID." Among these is "brain fog." A study found that individuals who had COVID-19 performed less well on a cognitive test than those who had not contracted the virus. This study raises concerns about lingering effects on the brain, which are further supported by the presence of EEG abnormalities associated with COVID-19-related neurological symptoms.
On the positive side, about 56.8% of patients who had follow-up EEG tests showed improvements, suggesting that these issues might not be permanent. The study does have some limitations, such as lack of access to raw data from individual studies, potential skewing of results due to doctors focusing on patients with neurological symptoms, and the potential influence of anti-seizure medications on EEG traces.
With the increase in research on this topic, it's essential to stay updated on the latest developments regarding COVID-19 and its impact on the brain. Keep in mind that this information might change as more research is conducted, and it's always crucial to consult with healthcare professionals for accurate, personalized guidance.
- Neurological symptoms such as seizures, headaches, and confusion, which can be indicative of coronavirus, are found in around 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19.
- Epilepsy and other pre-existing neurological conditions may exacerbate the neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients, as per research.
- The frontal part of the brain, which is adjacent to the likely entry point of the virus in the nose, has been identified as a common site for abnormalities in COVID-19 patients, according to a study by experts from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh.
- Long COVID, a condition where patients experience ongoing health problems, including brain fog, has been linked to cognitive decline and EEG abnormalities, raising concerns about the potential long-term effects of the virus on mental health and neurological disorders.
