Brain's Frontal Lobes Disrupted by COVID-19, Affecting Electrical Activity
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Have you ever wondered how COVID-19 affects your brain? A review of research suggests abnormalities in the front of the brain could be common among patients with neurological symptoms related to the virus. But, how exactly does the virus mess with our gray matter? Let's dive in.
Navigating COVID-19's Neurological Symptoms
covid neurons hospital © Vladislav Reshetnyak
Nearly 1 in 4 patients with severe COVID-19 could experience neurological symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, impaired consciousness, seizures, and strokes. To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the brain, researchers analyzed EEG results from 617 patients across 84 studies. The study, published in the Journal of Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy, found that abnormalities in brain wave activity (mostly in the slowing and discharges) were most common among these patients.
The Frontal Lobes: A Key Suspect
The findings reveal that a significant number of abnormalities were found in the frontal lobes of the brain. Dr. Zulfi Haneef, assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor College of Medicine, posits, "Given that the virus's most likely entry point is the nose, it seems there's a connection between the part of the brain that is situated next to that entry point." This evidence emphasizes the importance of conducting EEGs and other brain imaging tests on a wider range of patients, particularly focusing on the frontal lobe for a closer look.
Possible Culprits: The Virus Versus Systemic Inflammation
However, the virus may not be the sole culprit of all the damage. Systemic effects of the infection, including inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusually "sticky" blood, and cardiac arrest, may also contribute to EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes.
And the Future Looks Hazy
Researchers also discovered that over 60% of patients showed "diffuse slowing" in the background electrical activity of the whole brain. This implies widespread brain dysfunction in a significant proportion of severe COVID-19 cases.
On a brighter note, a good chunk of patients - 56.8% - showed improvements when their EEGs were re-evaluated.
Long COVID: A Lengthy Hangover?
Cognitive difficulties, commonly referred to as "brain fog," are among the ongoing health issues reported by people who have recovered from COVID-19. Recent research suggests that the infection may even "age" people cognitively by approximately a decade. However, this research does not definitively prove that COVID-19 causes long-term cognitive decline.
Regardless, the EEG abnormalities associated with the neurological symptoms of COVID-19 add to concerns about the potential long-term effects on the brain. Dr. Haneef notes, "Despite the improvements seen in some patients, research like this underscores the possibility of lasting issues, which we have suspected, and now have more evidence to back up."
Stay tuned for the latest on the ever-evolving story of COVID-19 and its impact on the brain.
- COVID-19 can lead to various neurological symptoms, including seizures, in severe cases, as suggested by EEG tests on over 600 patients.
- The frontal lobes of the brain appear to be particularly affected, leading researchers to hypothesize a connection between the virus's entry point in the nose and the frontal lobe.
- While the virus may play a role in these abnormalities, systemic inflammation, low oxygen levels, and other complications might also contribute to the widespread brain dysfunction seen in some patients.
- The long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain are a growing concern, as cognitive difficulties and potential long-term cognitive decline are reported by some recovering patients, even though the evidence is not yet definitive.
