COVID-19 Infections Potentially Alter Electrical Functions in Frontal Lobe Regions of the Brain
Brain Fizz: COVID-19's Mysterious Impact on the Frontal Lobe
Those pesky COVID-19 symptoms refuse to restrict themselves solely to the lungs, nope, they rage through the body like a wild, infectious freight train. And the latest casualty? The ol' frontal lobe. You know, the part of the brain responsible for executive decision-making, personality, and planning complex cognitive behavior. Cheers, COVID.
Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh dove headfirst into the morass of data stemming from EEG tests of 617 patients and identified common abnormalities: slowing of brain waves and unusual electrical discharges. The catch? The severity of the disease and pre-existing neurological conditions made these brain zaps more likely.
"This bad boy may not be the virus's doing single-handedly, but rather the systemic fallout, such as inflammation, low oxygen, sticky-ass blood, and old manheart attacks," says Doctor Zulfi Haneef, a neurology/neurophysiology scholar at Baylor and the study's co-author.
So, what's going on in there, you ask? One answer lies in the frontal lobe, that often-neglected corner of the brain.
"Considering COVID-19's favorite entry point is the ol' schnozz, we suspect there's a link between the frontal lobe and that entry point," Haneef explains. "It's high time we strap more folks with EEGs or whack 'em with an MRI or CT scan for a closer look."
But fear not, folks on the mend. Almost 57% of patients who experienced follow-up brain testing demonstrated improvements.
However, this doesn't mean we can wave a magic wand and ignore possible long-term side effects. Those who've lived through COVID-19 have reported lingering health annoyances, such as "brain fog" - a foggier-than-usual fog that significantly impacts cognitive function.
A study, not yet peer-reviewed or published, found that people who believe they've contracted COVID-19 showed cognitive decline on a cognitive test, averaging a decade's worth of aging. Experts polled by the Science Media Centre in the U.K. were quick to note that this study doesn't definitively link the virus to long-term cognitive decline. Nevertheless, it certainly adds to the suspicion of lasting effects on the grey matter.
"People might think it's one and done with COVID, but listen up, 'cause there might just be more to face down the road," Haneef warns.
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Enrichment Data:In addition to the described EEG findings, research indicates that severe COVID-19 can lead to deficits in executive functioning, primarily linked to the frontal lobes. These deficits may contribute to neuropsychiatric symptoms like anxiety and depression, potentially affecting quality of life.
Studies have also shown structural changes in the brain related to COVID-19, such as white matter hyperintensities, which can be associated with cognitive dysfunction. These changes may impact the default mode network and other neural circuits, potentially affecting cerebral regions like the frontal lobes.
While EEG studies focused on COVID-19-related frontal lobe abnormalities are limited, EEG is a valuable tool for assessing various neurological conditions by measuring brain activity. Abnormal EEG patterns can signal neurotoxicity or dysfunction in other conditions, such as those related to CAR T-cell therapy.
To gain a clearer picture of the correlation between COVID-19 severity and frontal lobe disturbances, more targeted research would be necessary. The frontal lobes play a crucial role in executive functions, decision-making, and other higher-order cognitive processes, and any damage to these areas could significantly impact overall cognitive functioning.
- The COVID-19 virus, also known as coronavirus, has been found to affect the frontal lobe of the brain, a critical region responsible for decision-making and cognitive behavior.
- According to a study, COVID-19 patients have shown abnormalities in their EEG tests, including slowing of brain waves and unusual electrical discharges.
- In these patients, the severity of the disease and pre-existing neurological conditions may influence the likelihood of these brain zaps or abnormalities.
- The connection between COVID-19 and the frontal lobe is suspected due to the virus's preference for the ol' schnozz as its entry point into the body.
- For those who have recovered from the virus, it's important to consider the potential long-term effects, such as lingering cognitive problems like "brain fog" that can significantly impact mental health and cognitive function.
- Studies have also found structural changes in the brain related to COVID-19, which can be associated with cognitive dysfunction and affect executive functioning, potentially leading to neuropsychiatric symptoms like anxiety and depression.
