Brain's frontal lobes may experience electrical disruptions due to COVID-19 infection
Experts are shedding light on the neurological effects of COVID-19, focusing on the brain's electrical activity through Electroencephalography (EEG) tests. These tests, which measure the electrical activity of the brain, are often used for patients displaying neurological symptoms related to the virus.
In a study, researchers analyzed EEG results from 617 patients from 84 different studies. They found that the most common findings were the slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges. Interestingly, the extent of these EEG abnormalities was found to correlate with the severity of the disease and the presence of preexisting neurological conditions, such as epilepsy.
One intriguing observation made by Dr. Zulfi Haneef, an assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor College of Medicine, is that around a third of the abnormal findings were in the frontal lobes of the brain. As the virus is thought to enter the body primarily through the nose, this proximity raises questions about a possible connection between the frontal lobes and the virus's entry point. Dr. Haneef suggests that this should encourage doctors to perform EEGs on a wider variety of patients and other types of brain imaging, such as MRIs or CT scans, to get a clearer picture of the frontal lobe's condition.
While the virus might not be directly responsible for all the brain damage, systemic effects of the infection, like inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusual blood thickening, and cardiac arrest, may contribute to EEG abnormalities extending beyond the frontal lobes. Moreover, a study suggests that individuals who had COVID-19 may experience persistent health problems, commonly referred to as "long COVID." Among these problems is "brain fog." Although this study does not prove that the virus causes cognitive decline, it has raised concerns about long-term impacts on the brain.
The good news is that 56.8% of the patients who underwent follow-up EEG tests showed improvements. However, it's essential to note that the analysis had several limitations, including lack of access to raw data from individual studies, selective reporting of EEG results, and potential obscuring effects of anti-seizure medications given to patients suspected of having seizures. Despite these limitations, the findings underscore the importance of monitoring the brain's activity in COVID-19 patients to better understand the virus's influence on neurological function.
- The coronavirus, commonly known as COVID-19, is influencing the neurological aspects of patients, as seen through Electroencephalography (EEG) tests.
- EEG tests, which measure the brain's electrical activity, are crucial for patients exhibiting neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19.
- In a study, researchers detected a correlation between the severity of COVID-19 and the occurrence of EEG abnormalities, including slowing of brain waves and unusual electrical discharges, especially in the frontal lobes of the brain.
- Epilepsy and other pre-existing neurological conditions seem to play a role in the extent of EEG abnormalities in patients with COVID-19.
- Research on the long-term effects of COVID-19 suggests that patients may experience persistent health problems, including "brain fog," which raises questions about potential long-term impacts on the brain.
- Despite the challenges and limitations in analysis, the findings from EEG tests emphasize the significance of monitoring the brain's activity in COVID-19 patients to gain a better understanding of the virus's impact on neurological function.
