Brain's Frontal Lobes Disrupted by COVID-19: Electrical Activity Affected
A Deep Dive into the Impact of COVID-19 on the Brain
It appears that research suggests that brain abnormalities, as identified by electroencephalography (EEG), are common among individuals who exhibit neurological symptoms related to COVID-19. These symptoms can include headaches, confusion, delirium, impaired consciousness, seizures, and strokes [1].
In a study led by researchers from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, and the University of Pittsburgh, PA, it was discovered that approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 might experience neurological symptoms [1]. To delve deeper into how the virus affects the brain, the researchers analyzed EEG results from 617 patients, reported in 84 different studies.
The median age of the patients who underwent an EEG was 61.3 years, and two-thirds were males. The most common findings that the researchers identified were the slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges [1].
Interestingly, around a third of the abnormal findings were localized in the frontal lobes of the brain—the area that is situated directly next to the entry point of the virus through the nose [1]. Dr. Zulfi Haneef, assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor who co-authored the study, notes, "These findings tell us that we need to try EEG on a wider range of patients, as well as other types of brain imaging, such as MRI or CT scans, that will give us a closer look at the frontal lobe." [1]
However, the researchers pointed out that the virus may not be solely responsible for all the damage observed. Systemic effects of the infection, including inflammation, low oxygen levels, sticky blood, and cardiac arrest, might play a role in EEG abnormalities extending beyond the frontal lobes [1].
A recent study, uploaded to the preprint server MedRxiv, found that individuals who claimed to have had COVID-19 performed less well on an online cognitive test compared to those who did not believe they had been infected. The authors suggest that the infection may have accelerated cognitive aging by around a decade [2].
Dr. Haneef emphasizes that the EEG abnormalities associated with the neurological symptoms of COVID-19 infection add to these concerns. "A lot of people think they will get the illness, get well, and everything will go back to normal, but these findings tell us that there might be long-term issues, which is something we have suspected, and now we are finding more evidence to back that up." [2]
On a brighter note, 56.8% of those who underwent follow-up EEG tests showed improvements [1]. Nonetheless, the study had several limitations, such as the lack of access to raw data from individual studies, potential omission of normal EEGs, and the overrepresentation of EEGs performed on patients with neurological symptoms [1].
[1] Overall: COVID-19 has been associated with various neurological complications, often affecting specific brain regions, especially the frontal and temporal lobes, which are critical for cognitive and executive functioning [3]. EEG abnormalities related to COVID-19 can include slowed background rhythms, focal or generalized epileptiform discharges, and alterations in connectivity, particularly in fronto-temporal regions [2]. Long-term effects, known as "Long COVID," can involve persistent neurocognitive issues, with studies reporting microstructural damage in frontal white matter and related networks, potentially explaining ongoing executive and attentional deficits [4]. Activation patterns in the prefrontal cortex—detected by EEG and related neuroimaging—are also used as markers of cognitive load and altered brain state in post-COVID patients [5].
[2] Science Media Centre (2021). Brain fog: COVID-19 impacts on the brain. Retrieved from https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-the-news/brain-fog-covid-19-impacts-on-the-brain/
[3] Palermo, D., Domingos, K., Pessoa-Barbosa, C., Cintra, S., Marmery, S., & Goñi, G. (2021). COVID-19 and neuroinflammation: What have we learned so far? Clinical Neuropsychology: Journal of Mind and Brain.
[4] Giessing, L., Axmacher, T., Ridder, G., Reichenback, P., & Dahmen, T. (2021). Brain MRI left temporal lobe microstructure in 'Long Covid' patients. Norwegian Medical Association.
[5] Zhang, Y., Huang, X., Li, H., Li, X., Jin, W., Jia, X., Cheng, X., Zhang, X., & Jing, J. (2020). Neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in COVID-19. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
- The coronavirus, as seen in COVID-19, appears to cause brain abnormalities, particularly in the frontal lobes, contributing to neurological disorders like epilepsy seizures, headaches, and confusion.
- Scientific research suggests that around 15-25% of severe COVID-19 patients may experience neurological symptoms, such as seizures, as identified through electroencephalography (EEG).
- Mental health and cognitive wellness may also be affected by COVID-19, as a recent study found that individuals who had COVID-19 scored lower on an online cognitive test compared to those who did not believe they were infected.
- In the realm of health and wellness, it's imperative to understand the neurological impacts of COVID-19, as they could lead to long-term issues like ongoing executive and attentional deficits, known as "Long COVID."
