Brain's Frontal Lobes May Experience Alterations in Electric Activity Due to COVID-19
In a recent review of numerous research studies, scientists have discovered that abnormalities in the front of the brain, as detected by Electroencephalography (EEG) tests, are prevalent among COVID-19 patients experiencing neurological symptoms.
Approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may exhibit neurological symptoms such as headaches, confusion, seizures, and strokes. Doctors may refer these patients for EEG tests, which monitor the electrical activity of the brain by placing electrodes on the scalp.
To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the brain, researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed EEG results from 617 patients across 84 studies. The median age of these patients was 61.3 years, with two-thirds being male.
The most common findings in the EEG tests were slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges. Remarkably, roughly one-third of these abnormalities were found in the frontal lobes of the brain. Dr. Zulfi Haneef, an assistant professor of neurology and neurophysiology at Baylor, suggests this correlation may indicate that the virus's most likely entry point — the nose — is situated close to the affected brain region.
The review, published in the journal Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy, suggests that the extent of EEG abnormalities correlated with the severity of COVID-19 and whether patients had preexisting neurological conditions. However, it's important to note that the virus may not be directly responsible for all the damage since systemic effects, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest, could contribute to EEG abnormalities.
Among the long-term effects of COVID-19 are cognitive difficulties commonly referred to as "brain fog." A recent, yet-to-be-peer-reviewed study on MedRxiv found that those who claim to have had COVID-19 performed less well on an online cognitive test compared to those without a history of the virus. Although this study does not definitively prove long-term cognitive decline, it raises concerns about the potential long-term impact on the brain, as does the presence of EEG abnormalities associated with the neurological symptoms of COVID-19.
Despite the limitations, such as lack of access to raw data, the researchers found that over half of those who had follow-up EEG tests showed improvements. Further EEG testing and brain imaging techniques, like MRI or CT scans, focusing on the frontal lobe may provide valuable insights into the neurological effects of COVID-19.
- The coronaavirus, as seen in COVID-19 patients, has been linked to an increased prevalence of neurological symptoms such as epilepsy seizures, headaches, and strokes.
- Among severe COVID-19 patients, around 15-25% may exhibit neurological symptoms, and medical-health professionals may use Electroencephalography (EEG) tests to monitor brain activity.
- In a recent study, researchers discovered that the most common findings in EEG tests for COVID-19 patients were slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges, with roughly one-third of these abnormalities occurring in the frontal lobes of the brain.
- The presence of EEG abnormalities, related to neurological symptoms of COVID-19, could potentially indicate long-term effects on mental health and neurological disorders like cognitive difficulties or brain fog.
