Brain's Frontal Lobes' Electrical Activity Potentially Affected by COVID-19
Covid-19's Impact on the Brain: A Look at EEG Abnormalities in Patients with Neurological Symptoms
Latest findings reveal that abnormalities detected by electroencephalography (EEG) tests are common in patients with neurological symptoms related to Covid-19. Here's a breakdown of these findings and what they may mean for those battling the virus.
Covid-19 and Neurological Symptoms
Approximately 15-25% of patients with severe Covid-19 may experience neurological symptoms such as headaches, confusion, seizures, and strokes[1]. Given these stats, it's essential for doctors to stay vigilant and refer patients armed with such symptoms for an EEG test.
An EEG test involves placing electrodes on the scalp to monitor electrical activity in the brain. Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed EEG results from 617 patients in 84 different studies[1].
The most common findings the researchers identified were slowing brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges. Notably, the extent of these EEG abnormalities correlated positively with the severity of the disease and whether the patients had preexisting neurological conditions[1].
Frontal Lobe Abnormalities
Around one-third of the abnormal findings were in the frontal lobes of the brain. Dr. Zulfi Haneef, an assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor, suggests that the virus's most likely entry point is the nose, and since the frontal lobe is located directly adjacent to the entry point, there seems to be a connection[1].
These findings underscore the need for EEG testing on a broader range of patients, as well as other types of brain imaging like MRI or CT scans, to provide a closer look at the frontal lobe[1].
Systemic Effects and EEG Abnormalities
The researchers caution that the virus may not be directly responsible for all damage. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, sticky blood, and cardiac arrest may play a role in EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes[1].
Long COVID and Brain Fog
For those who recover from Covid-19 but continue to experience symptoms, there's a term now - long Covid. One such ongoing issue is "brain fog." 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 contracted the virus[2].
While this study does not prove that infection causes long-term cognitive decline, it does raise concerns about potential lasting effects on the brain[2]. Given the EEG abnormalities associated with neurological symptoms of Covid-19, these concerns are further validated[1].
Improvements and Limitations
In a positive note, the researchers report that 56.8% of those who had follow-up EEG tests showed improvements[1]. However, the analysis had certain limitations, including lack of access to raw data, omitted normal EEGs, and potentially skewed results due to doctors administering anti-seizure medications or performing disproportionately more EEGs on patients with neurological symptoms[1].
Stay Informed
For the most recent information on Covid-19 and long Covid, visit our dedicated hub for up-to-date resources. Stay tuned for live updates on the latest coronavirus and Covid-19 developments.
References:[1] - https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/eeeg-abnormalities-in-covid-19[2] - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924977X21007606[3] - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.07.29.20163073v1[4] - https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-studies-link-covid-19-to-long-term-illness-including-cognitive-problems/[5] - https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210416-what-happens-to-your-brain-after-covid-19[6] - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3298011/[7] - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7348740/[8] - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7100228/[9] - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7566130/[10] - https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00162-2[11] - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7875652/[12] - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924977X21001746
- Seizures are one of the neurological symptoms that can occur in patients with Covid-19, and these patients might experience epilepsy seizures in some cases.
- The abnormalities found in EEG tests of Covid-19 patients are not only limited to the frontal lobes, but they can also extend to other parts of the brain due to systemic effects of the infection.
- The correlation between the extent of EEG abnormalities and the severity of Covid-19, as well as the presence of preexisting neurological conditions, suggests a potential long-term impact on mental health and other neurological disorders.
- Healthcare professionals should also consider the potential impact of Covid-19 on health-and-wellness, particularly in areas related to science, such as neurological research, given the recent findings on EEG abnormalities in Covid-19 patients.
