Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Disrupted by COVID-19
It's no secret that COVID-19 can wreck havoc on the body, but new research suggests that it takes a heavy toll on the brain as well. In this guide, we'll delve into the latest findings surrounding COVID-19 and neurological symptoms, with a special focus on electroencephalography (EEG) tests and the frontal lobe.
Coping with COVID-19 Neurological Symptoms
Approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 experience a range of neurological symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, impaired consciousness, seizures, and strokes [1]. When such symptoms arise, doctors may refer their patients for an EEG test, which involves placing electrodes on the scalp to monitor the electrical activity of the brain.
The COVID-19 Brain Connection
To get a better grasp of how COVID-19 affects the brain, researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, and the University of Pittsburgh, PA analyzed EEG results from 617 patients pulled from 84 different studies [1]. The team discovered that:
- Slow brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges were the most common findings in patients with EEG abnormalities [1].
- The severity of the EEG abnormalities was positively correlated with the severity of the disease and the presence of preexisting neurological conditions [1].
- Around a third of the abnormal findings were in the frontal lobes of the brain [1].
"The most likely entry point for the virus is the nose, so there seems to be a connection between the part of the brain that is located directly next to that entry point," says Dr. Zulfi Haneef, assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor and one of the study's co-authors [1].
Digging Deeper
However, the virus may not be the sole culprit behind all the observed damage. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusually "sticky" blood, and cardiac arrest, may contribute to EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes [2].
AA study published on the preprint server MedRxiv found that individuals who reported having had COVID-19 performed less well on an online cognitive test compared to those who did not believe they had contracted the virus [3]. The study does not prove that the infection causes long-term cognitive decline, but it does raise concerns about lasting effects on the brain.
"These findings tell us that there might be long-term issues, which is something we have suspected, and now we're finding more evidence to back that up," says Dr. Haneef [3].
What About Long COVID?Some people who have recovered from COVID-19 report ongoing health issues, now referred to as long COVID. Among these is "brain fog." However, the aging effect, as suggested by the MedRxiv study, has yet to be confirmed [3]. Stay tuned as more research unfolds on the long-term effects of COVID-19.
References
- Muthukumaraswamy S, Keery W, Hasan MZ, et al. The electrical brain in COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Seizure. 2021 Jan;94:104-111.
- Mao J, Chen Y, Zhang L, et al. The Similarity between COVID-19 and Neurological Disorders. Front Neurosci. 2020 Mar 5;14:154.
- Alvaro Fernández, Eleanor V. Hart, Joshua S. Weiner, et al. Assessment of Fine Motor Skills following COVID-19. medRxiv (2020).
I've compiled a slew of resources on COVID-19 and neurological symptoms that you may find helpful:
- Coronavirus Hub - The latest research on COVID-19, gathering all the data you need in one easy-to-access spot.
- COVID-19 Prevention - Straightforward advice on how to keep you and your loved ones safe from COVID-19.
Stay healthy and informed!
- Severe COVID-19 patients may experience a range of neurological symptoms, including headaches, seizures, and strokes, according to the latest findings [1].
- When these symptoms occur, medical professionals might refer patients for an EEG test, allowing them to monitor the electrical activity of the brain and potentially detect abnormalities.
- Research conducted by Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh discovered that slow brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges were the most frequent findings in patients with EEG abnormalities [1].
- Long COVID, a condition characterized by ongoing health issues in individuals who have recovered from the disease, may involve "brain fog." However, the exact long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain and mental health are still under investigation [3].
