COVID-19 can potentially impinge on the electrical functionality of frontal lobes within the brain.
Let's dive into the world of COVID-19, neurological symptoms, and brain abnormalities revealed through EEG tests.
COVID-19 impact on the brain
Out of the numerous patients battling severe COVID-19, approximately one-quarter may experience neurological symptoms such as headaches, confusion, impaired consciousness, seizures, and strokes. As these neurological symptoms can be concerning, doctors may order EEG tests to understand the electrical activity in the brain.
Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed EEG results from an astonishing pool of 617 patients across 84 different studies. They discovered that the slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges were common amongst these patients. Interestingly, the severity of EEG abnormalities correlated with the severity of the disease and whether patients had pre-existing neurological conditions like epilepsy.
The frontal lobe and COVID-19
Researchers have suggested that there might be a relation between the virus's entry point in the nose and the brain's frontal lobe, as it is situated directly adjacent to this entry point. Approximately a third of the identified abnormalities were in the frontal lobes, fueling the curiosity of researchers and leading to the recommendation of more diverse EEG testing and other types of brain imaging (for instance, MRI or CT scans).
The virus and brain damage
It's important to note that while the virus might be causing the observed damage, other factors such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, "sticky" blood, and cardiac arrest might also be playing a role in the abnormal EEG results extending beyond the frontal lobes.
Brain fog and long COVID
Recovered COVID-19 patients have reported experiencing ongoing health issues, now known as long COVID. Among these issues is "brain fog." A study on MedRxiv found that individuals claiming to have had COVID-19 performed less well on an online cognitive test compared to those who did not believe they contracted the virus. The authors suggest that the infection might be causing cognitive decline, comparable to aging someone by a decade.
The findings of EEG abnormalities associated with the neurological symptoms of COVID-19 support these concerns. According to Dr. Zulfi Haneef from Baylor College of Medicine, the implications suggest that there might be long-term concerns, which adds to the existing evidence implying lasting effects on the brain.
On a more optimistic note, the follow-up EEG tests of about 57% of the patients revealed signs of improvement.
- Seizures, impaired consciousness, and other neurological symptoms like headaches and strokes have been observed in a significant number of severe COVID-19 patients.
- EEG tests are used by doctors to understand the electrical activity in the brain of COVID-19 patients who exhibit neurological symptoms, as these tests can reveal slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges.
- The researchers found a correlation between the severity of EEG abnormalities and the severity of the disease, as well as pre-existing neurological conditions such as epilepsy.
- The abnormalities in EEG results, particularly in the frontal lobes, may not solely be caused by the virus, but could also be influenced by factors such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest.
