Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity May Be Affected by COVID-19
Lockdown on the Brain: An Exploration of COVID-19's Impact on the Frontal Lobes
The virus that's ruling our outside world might also be stirring up some nerve-wracking trouble within our noggins. Recent research suggests that top-dog abnormalities in the frontal part of the brain - as found via those squiggly lines on an EEG (Electroencephalography) test - are relatively common amongst COVID-19 patients experiencing neurological symptoms.
Roll the Dice, COVID Edition
There's a 15-25% chance that severe cases of COVID-19 could lead to neurological symptoms, like headaches, confusion, seizures, and strokes. To clarify the complex web of the virus's impact on the brain, scientists from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed EEG results from over 600 patients across 84 studies.
The Foggy Frontal Lobes
The research team noticed that the most frequent findings were slow brain waves and unusual electrical discharges. They also discovered that the extent of these EEG abnormalities was closely related to the severity of the disease and any pre-existing neurological conditions, such as epilepsy.
Trouble in Paradise
The frontal lobe, situated next to our olfactory bulbs (the smell sensors), might be a prime target for the COVID-19 virus. Dr. Zulfi Haneef, one of the study's co-authors, hypothesizes that the virus might be finding its way into the brain through our noses.
"There seems to be a connection between the part of the brain that's next to the virus's favorite entry point," says Dr. Haneef.
Laying the Blame
It's important to note that the virus might not directly be the culprit behind all the brain's damages. Other factors, like inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest, could be contributing to the EEG abnormalities extending beyond the frontal lobes.
Long COVID's Lingering Brain Fog
As some survivors grapple with ongoing health issues labeled "long COVID," the brain fog hangs heavy in the air. A recent study found that individuals who previously suspected they had COVID-19 were cognitively slower during online cognitive tests compared to those with no self-reported virus exposure. The study authors suggest that the virus might have aged the brain, cognitive maturity-wise, by around a decade.
This study doesn't definitively prove that COVID-19 causes long-term cognitive decline, but it raises serious concerns about the virus's potential lasting effects on the brain. Dr. Haneef concurs, emphasizing the potential of long-term issues.
Lights in the Darkness
On a positive note, the study found that nearly 57% of the patients showed improvements in their subsequent follow-up EEG tests. However, several limitations exist in the study, including insufficient access to individual study data and an overrepresentation of EEG exams performed on patients with neurological symptoms.
[1] EEEG and COVID-19: EEG Abnormalities In Coronavirus Disease 2019[2] Neurological Effects of COVID-19: Mechanisms and therapies in COVID-19-related encephalopathy[3] General Considerations: Neurological Manifestations of COVID-19
- COVID-19 patients, particularly those with severe cases, might experience neurological symptoms such as seizures, strokes, and confusion, with a 15-25% chance of occurrence.
- The research focusing on EEG results from over 600 patients found that abnormalities in the frontal lobes, including slow brain waves and unusual electrical discharges, were prominent among COVID-19 individuals with neurological issues.
- Epilepsy and other pre-existing neurological disorders might amplify the correlation between COVID-19 and the development of EEG abnormalities in the frontal lobes.
- Long lasting effects of COVID-19 on the brain, such as cognitive decline, have been a concern among medical professionals, although further research is needed to better understand long COVID's impact on mental health and various neurological disorders.
