Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Potentially Impacted by COVID-19
Approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may experience neurological symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, and seizures. In a review of research, it was found that abnormalities in the frontal lobes of the brain, identified by electroencephalography (EEG) tests, are common among such patients.
The study, published in the journal Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy, analyzed EEG results from 617 patients reported in 84 different studies. The most common findings were the slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges. The extent of the EEG abnormalities positively correlated with the severity of the disease and whether the patients had preexisting neurological conditions, such as epilepsy.
According to Dr. Zulfi Haneef, assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor College of Medicine, 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.
In addition to EEG tests, doctors may refer patients for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans to gain a closer look at the frontal lobe and other areas of the brain.
There are concerns that COVID-19 may have lasting effects on the brain, with some people reporting ongoing health problems, now labeled "long COVID." A recent study found that individuals who claim to have had COVID performed less well on an online cognitive test than those who did not believe they had contracted the virus. This suggests that the infection may lead to lasting brain fog and cognitive decline.
The researchers note that further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between COVID-19 and EEG abnormalities in the frontal lobes. However, the findings suggest that EEG testing should be considered for a wider range of patients, and other types of brain imaging may also be important in identifying and tracking neurological complications associated with COVID-19.
- The study reveals that COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms often display EEG abnormalities, particularly in the frontal lobes of the brain, which might indicate a connection between the coronavirus and neurological disorders.
- It's been discovered that patients with severe COVID-19 and preexisting neurological conditions, like epilepsy, demonstrate more widespread EEG abnormalities, suggesting these medical conditions may exacerbate the virus's neurological impacts.
- In light of the findings, healthcare professionals might consider utilizing EEG tests, MRI scans, or CT scans to assess the extent of damage in the brain and monitor potential long-term neurological complications resulting from COVID-19.
- There is increasing concern that COVID-19 could contribute to mental-health issues and neurological disorders, as demonstrated by reports of long-term health problems – collectively termed "long COVID" – and cognitive decline in some individuals who recover from the virus.
