Neurological Impact of COVID-19: An In-Depth Look at EEG Abnormalities
Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Disrupted by COVID-19
If you've ever wondered what's really happening in your brain when you're fighting off COVID-19, listen up. Recent research suggests that electrical activity in the brain, as measured by EEG tests, can provide valuable insights into the neurological symptoms associated with the virus.
COVID-19 and Neurological Symptoms
Approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may experience neurological symptoms like headaches, confusion, and seizures. If you're among them, your doctor might recommend an EEG test. This procedure involves placing electrodes on your scalp to monitor the electrical activity of your brain.
Assessing COVID-19's Impact on the Brain
To investigate how COVID-19 affects the brain, researchers from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, and the University of Pittsburgh, PA, looked at EEG results from 617 patients, reported in 84 different studies. The most common findings they identified were slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges.
Interestingly, the extent of these EEG abnormalities seemed to correlate positively with the severity of the disease and whether the patients had preexisting neurological conditions, such as epilepsy.
Frontal Lobe: The Center of the Storm?
Around a third of the abnormal findings were in the frontal lobes of the brain. Dr. Zulfi Haneef, assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor, explains, "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."
He goes on to say, "These findings tell us that we need to try EEG on a wider range of patients, as well as other types of brain imaging, such as MRI or CT scans, that will give us a closer look at the frontal lobe."
The Virus and Beyond
The researchers note that the virus may not be directly responsible for all the damage. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusually "sticky" blood, and cardiac arrest, may play a role in EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes.
Brain Fog and Long COVID
Some people who have recovered from COVID-19 report ongoing health problems, now labeled "long COVID." Among these is "brain fog."
A recent study found that individuals who claim to have had COVID-19 performed less well on an online cognitive test than those who did not believe they had contracted the virus. The authors suggest that the infection may have aged people cognitively by around a decade.
Although the study does not prove that the infection caused long-term cognitive decline, it does highlight concerns about lasting effects on the brain. The fact that EEG abnormalities have been associated with the neurological symptoms of COVID-19 infection adds to these concerns, says Dr. Haneef. "A lot of people think they will get the illness, get well, and everything will go back to normal," he adds, "but these findings tell us that there might be long-term issues, which is something we have suspected, and now we are finding more evidence to back that up."
Looking Ahead
On a positive note, the researchers report that 56.8% of those who had follow-up EEG tests showed improvements. As we continue to learn more about the neurological impact of COVID-19, it's essential to stay vigilant and seek medical attention if you experience any neurological symptoms.
- Recent research on COVID-19 suggests that unexpected neurological symptoms such as headaches, confusion, and seizures may occur in 15-25% of patients with severe versions of the virus.
- The coronavirus might lead to EEG abnormalities, with the most common findings being slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges.
- Interestingly, the severity of these EEG abnormalities appears to coincide with the severity of the disease and the presence of preexisting neurological conditions like epilepsy.
- Around a third of the EEG abnormalities are found in the frontal lobes of the brain, which could indicate that the entry point for the virus is the nose.
- Systemic effects of the infection, like inflammation, low oxygen levels, and unusual blood properties, may also contribute to EEG abnormalities that affect areas beyond the frontal lobes.
- Some individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 report ongoing health issues, including "brain fog," and EEG abnormalities could hint at long-term neurological consequences of the virus.
