Brain's Frontal Lobes Disrupted by COVID-19: Electrical Activity Impacted
Exploring EEG Abnormalities in COVID-19 Patients
A study by researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh suggests that abnormalities in the frontal lobe of the brain, as identified by EEG tests, are common among patients with neurological symptoms caused by COVID-19.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may experience neurological symptoms like headaches, confusion, seizures, and strokes. These patients may be referred for EEG tests to monitor brain activity.
In their analysis of EEG results from 617 patients, the researchers found that slowing brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges were the most common findings. Furthermore, the extent of EEG abnormalities positively correlated with the severity of the disease and the presence of preexisting neurological conditions.
However, it is essential to acknowledge that the virus may not be directly responsible for all the damage. Systemic effects such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusually "sticky" blood, and cardiac arrest may also contribute to EEG abnormalities.
The study highlights the need for further investigation, focusing on EEG testing for a wider range of patients and other imaging techniques like MRI or CT scans. These tests can provide a closer look at the frontal lobe and help identify potential long-term neurological issues that COVID-19 survivors may face.
Additionally, some post-COVID patients report ongoing problems, including "brain fog," which could be caused by long-term cognitive decline resulting from the infection. Despite these concerns, more research is needed to solidify the link between COVID-19 and lasting cognitive decline.
On a positive note, the study did find improvements in 56.8% of patients who underwent follow-up EEG tests.
While the research illuminates potential correlations between COVID-19 severity and EEG abnormalities in the frontal lobes, further investigation is required to establish direct causality.
Insights:- Neuroinflammation is a potential factor connecting COVID-19 severity to EEG abnormalities as it may affect brain function broadly[2].- EEG abnormalities are commonly used to assess various neurological conditions, including those exacerbated by COVID-19[3].
[1] CDC (2020). Neurologic Complications Associated with COVID-19. [online] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-guidance-neurologic-complications.html[2] Faraco JS, et al. (2020). Neuroinflammation in COVID-19: from antiviral immune reactions to neurodegeneration. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. [online] Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889159120318955[3] Ganesh MS, et al. (2020). COVID-19 and the brain: focus on central nervous system manifestations including organophilic plasma proteins, complement dysregulation, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-related mechanisms. Molecular Neurobiology. [online] Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12035-020-01569-2
- The study reveals that Covid-19 patients with neurological symptoms, such as seizures and strokes, may exhibit EEG abnormalities in their frontal lobes.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 25% of severe Covid-19 patients might experience various mental health issues, neurological disorders, and health-and-wellness concerns like epilepsy seizures.
- As science continues to unravel the impact of Covid-19 on health-and-wellness and mental-health, it's crucial to investigate potential links between Covid-19, long-term cognitive decline, and neurological disorders like epilepsy.
- The coronavirus may indirectly contribute to EEG abnormalities through systemic effects like inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest, in addition to direct damage caused by the virus itself.
