Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Potentially Affected by COVID-19
*COVID-19 and the Brain: Unraveling the Mysteries of EEG Abnormalities*
There's been a growing body of research indicating that the virus that caused the pandemic, COVID-19, isn't just attacking our lungs and heart - it might be wreaking havoc on our brains too. In this informative dive, we'll explore the connection between COVID-19 and neurological symptoms, as well as the role of electroencephalography (EEG) tests in diagnosing them.
Let's start by clearing the air: EEG tests involve placing electrodes on your scalp to record the electrical activity of your brain. Now, why's that important? Researchers are trying to figure out how COVID-19 affects the brain, and EEG tests can help them do that.
Now, if you've got COVID-19 and you're experiencing weird stuff like headaches, confusion, seizures, or even strokes, doctors might refer you for an EEG test. In fact, estaminates vary, but approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may experience neurological symptoms.
So, what are researchers finding? From an analysis of EEG results from 617 patients, the most common findings were the slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges. Furthermore, the extent of these EEG abnormalities positively correlated with the severity of the disease and the presence of preexisting neurological conditions such as epilepsy.
But wait, there's more: Around a third of these abnormal findings were found in the frontal lobes of the brain, leading experts like Dr. Zulfi Haneef, assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor College of Medicine, to speculate that the virus might be using the nose as its entry point to mess with the area of the brain that's right next to it. He suggests that a wider range of patients should undergo EEG tests, as well as other types of brain imaging like MRI or CT scans, for a closer look at the frontal lobe.
But hold up, virus ain't the only culprit here: The study also noted the possibility that systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest, might play a role in EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes.
Moving on to brain fog: Some people who have recovered from COVID-19 report ongoing health issues, now labeled long COVID. Among these problems is "brain fog." A recent study found that individuals who claim to have had COVID-19 performed less well on an online cognitive test than those who did not believe they contracted the virus. While this study doesn't prove that the infection was the root cause of long-term cognitive decline, it does raise concerns about lasting effects on the brain.
And it's not just EEGs: Recent studies have shown abnormal findings in brain imaging of COVID-19 patients. These abnormalities can persist even after recovery, which raises concerns about the long-term neurological impacts of the virus.
Stay tuned for further developments in our quest to unravel the mysteries of COVID-19 and its impact on the brain. In the meantime, don't forget to follow recommended COVID-19 prevention measures and take care of your health.
- Despite primarily attacking the lungs and heart, research suggests that the coronavirus, responsible for COVID-19, may also have an impact on the brain.
- A significant number of patients with severe COVID-19 (approximately 15-25%) may experience neurological symptoms, including epilepsy seizures, headaches, and confusion.
- EEG tests, which measure the electrical activity of the brain, can help doctors and researchers analyze the neurological effects of COVID-19, with the most common findings being slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges.
- In addition to the potential direct effects of COVID-19 on the brain, the study also suggests that systemic issues such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest may contribute to neurological symptoms and abnormalities, transcending the frontal lobes and potentially impacting mental health and other neurological disorders.
