Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Potentially Affected by COVID-19
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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, scientists are digging deeper to understand the far-reaching effects of the disease on the human body - including the brain. A recent review of research suggests that abnormalities in the frontal lobe, detected by an electroencephalography (EEG) test, are common among patients with neurological symptoms related to COVID-19.
Neurological Symptoms in Severe COVID-19 Cases
Approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may experience neurological symptoms such as headaches, confusion, impaired consciousness, seizures, and strokes. When these symptoms arise, doctors may refer patients to an EEG test, which monitors the electrical activity of the brain by placing electrodes on the scalp.
Examining Brain Activity in COVID-19 Patients
Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX and the University of Pittsburgh, PA analyzed EEG results from over 600 patients, studying the impact of COVID-19 on brain activity. The analysis revealed that abnormalities in brain activity, such as slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges, were commonly found in COVID-19 patients.
Moreover, the extent of EEG abnormalities positively correlated with the severity of the disease and the presence of preexisting neurological conditions like epilepsy. Almost 70% of patients showed diffuse slowing in the background electrical activity of the whole brain.
The Link Between the Nose and the Frontal Lobe
One intriguing finding is that around a third of the abnormal readings were in the frontal lobes, which are located directly next to the nasal passage - the most likely entry point for the virus. "These findings suggest that we need to perform EEG tests more frequently on a wider range of COVID-19 patients and consider other types of brain imaging to get a closer look at the frontal lobe," says Dr. Zulfi Haneef, a co-author of the study.
However, it's essential to note that the virus may not be solely responsible for all the damage observed in COVID-19 patients. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusual blood clotting, and cardiac arrest, may also contribute to EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes.
Brain Fog and Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
Recovered COVID-19 patients have reported ongoing health issues, often labeled as "long COVID." Among these are cognitive impairments, known as "brain fog." One study found that individuals who believe they have had COVID-19 performed less well on an online cognitive test compared to those who did not. While this cross-sectional study does not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it highlights concerns about lasting effects on the brain.
The Discovery of EEG Abnormalities Adds to These Concerns
Dr. Haneef suggests that the discovery of EEG abnormalities adds fuel to these concerns, particularly since the findings suggest long-term issues could be possible. On a positive note, follow-up EEG tests have shown improvements in 56.8% of patients. However, more research is needed to further understand the long-term neurological effects of COVID-19.
[1] - Additional Research:Several studies suggest that COVID-19 can lead to changes in brain function, including altered brain connectivity in patients with persistent symptoms, such as olfactory dysfunction. However, the link between COVID-19 severity and specific EEG abnormalities in the frontal lobes requires more targeted research. For example, analyzing EEG data from patients with varying levels of COVID-19 severity and focusing on frontal lobe activity would provide more insights into the correlation between the two.
- The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has initiated a deeper exploration into the effects of the disease on various aspects of human health, including mental health and neurological disorders, such as epilepsy seizures and other neurological symptoms like headaches and confusion.
- A recent study involving EEG tests on over 600 patients revealed that COVID-19 can cause abnormalities in brain activity, with approximately 70% of patients showing diffuse slowing in the background electrical activity of the whole brain, and around a third of these abnormalities were found in the frontal lobes.
- The correlation between COVID-19 severity and specific EEG abnormalities in the frontal lobes is an area still under investigation, but research could potentially provide valuable insights into the long-term neurological effects of the disease on health and wellness.
- As the virus may not be solely responsible for all the damage observed in COVID-19 patients, future medical-conditions and health-and-wellness research should consider other factors like systemic inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusual blood clotting, and cardiac arrest when studying the neurological impact of the disease on the brain.
