Brain's Frontal Lobes Affected by COVID-19: Electrical Activity Disrupted
Refreshed Review: Electroencephalography (EEG) Abnormalities and COVID-19
Many COVID-19 sufferers experience neurological symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, or seizures, and EEG tests can help diagnose them. Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed EEG results from 617 patients to better understand how COVID-19 affects the brain.
Approximately 15-25% of severe COVID-19 cases display neurological symptoms, requiring EEG tests to monitor brain activity. These tests typically involve placing electrodes on the scalp. In their research, the team identified slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges as common findings.
Interestingly, they noticed that about a third of these abnormalities occurred in the frontal lobes, which coincides with the assumed entry point for the virus – the nose. Dr. Zulfi Haneef, one of the study's co-authors, suggests this could be a clue to explore further.
However, the virus may not be the sole culprit behind EEG abnormalities. Systemic effects of infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, or cardiac arrest, could also play a role. The researchers also noted "diffuse slowing" in the background electrical activity of the whole brain in almost 70% of patients.
Some COVID-19 survivors report lingering health issues called long COVID, including cognitive impairment, often referred to as "brain fog." A recent study found that these individuals scored lower on a cognitive test, suggesting the virus may have accelerated cognitive aging. While this study doesn't prove long-term cognitive decline, it highlights concerns about potential long-term effects on the brain.
Dr. Haneef adds that EEG abnormalities associated with COVID-19 neurological symptoms contribute to these concerns. He emphasizes that while many patients show improvements after follow-up EEG tests, there could still be long-term issues, indicating the need for further research.
However, limitations in the current research, including lack of access to raw data and possible skewing of results due to doctors' focus on patients with neurological symptoms, should be addressed. Nevertheless, understanding the correlation between COVID-19 and EEG abnormalities carries implications for long-term patient care and management.
[1] Source: Neurological manifestations associated with COVID-19 infection.[3] Source: Functions of the frontal lobe.[5] Source: EEG changes during therapeutic processes.
- The study on Electroencephalography (EEG) abnormalities and COVID-19 revealed that approximately 15-25% of severe COVID-19 cases display neurological symptoms, including seizures, and these symptoms often require EEG tests to monitor brain activity.
- The research also highlighted that about a third of these EEG abnormalities occurred in the frontal lobes, which is intriguing considering the assumed entry point for the virus is the nose.
- The correlation between COVID-19 and EEG abnormalities carries implications for long-term patient care and management, such as understanding the potential long-term effects on the brain and cognitive function in COVID-19 survivors.
