Disorder in Electrical Functions of Frontal Lobes in Brain Due to COVID-19
Fresh Take:
COVID-19 and its impact on the brain have been under investigation, with evidence suggesting that neurological symptoms are common among severe cases. A recent study looked at electroencephalography (EEG) results from 617 patients to understand how the disease affects the brain.
The study, published in the journal Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy, found that the virus may cause abnormalities in the frontal lobe of the brain. According to Dr. Zulfi Haneef, assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor College of Medicine, this may be due to the virus having a direct entry point next to the nose.
However, Haneef also notes that the virus may not be solely responsible for the damage, as systemic effects like inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusual blood clotting, and cardiac arrest might play a role in EEG abnormalities beyond the frontal lobe.
In the study, approximately 70% of patients showed "diffuse slowing" in the background electrical activity of the whole brain. This finding raises concerns about the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain, especially since some individuals report symptoms like "brain fog" even after recovery.
According to Haneef, more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between COVID-19 and EEG abnormalities, as well as long-term issues that might arise.
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Insights:
- EEG abnormalities can be indicative of changes in brain function, including in the frontal lobe.
- Prior literature suggests that COVID-19 can lead to neurological complications, including encephalopathy, seizures, and EEG abnormalities in the frontal lobe.
- Stress and cognitive load often manifest as altered activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is accessible via frontal EEG channels.
- Markers such as frontal alpha asymmetry, theta/beta ratios, and slowing might be disrupted by neurological insults like viral infections, but dedicated studies are needed to establish a clear causal or correlative link with COVID-19.
- The COVID-19 virus may cause abnormalities in the frontal lobe of the brain, according to a recent study on EEG results from 617 patients.
- Dr. Zulfi Haneef, a neurology/neurophysiology assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine, suggests the virus may have a direct entry point next to the nose leading to these brain abnormalities.
- However, Haneef also notes that systemic effects like inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusual blood clotting, and cardiac arrest might contribute to the EEG abnormalities beyond the frontal lobe.
- Approximately 70% of patients in the study showed "diffuse slowing" in the background electrical activity of the whole brain, raising concerns about the long-term effects of COVID-19 on mental health, neurological disorders, and overall health and wellness.
