COVID-19 may cause alterations in electrical activity within the frontal regions of the brain.
COVID-19's impacts on the brain have been the subject of research, with a focus on neurological symptoms experienced by some severe patients. These symptoms can include headaches, confusion, and seizures, among others.
Doctors often order EEG (electroencephalography) tests for patients exhibiting these symptoms to monitor the electrical activity of the brain. A review of research suggests that about 15-25% of severe COVID-19 patients may display such neurological issues.
To investigate how COVID-19 affects the brain, researchers examined EEG results from 617 patients, sourced from 84 separate studies. The findings revealed a high prevalence of slowing brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges.
Moreover, the researchers discovered a positive correlation between the severity of the disease and the extent of EEG abnormalities, particularly in patients with preexisting neurological conditions like epilepsy. Notably, approximately one-third of the abnormal findings were in the frontal lobes of the brain.
Dr. Zulfi Haneef, an assistant professor of neurology, explained, "Given that the most likely entry point for the virus is the nose, which is situated near the frontal lobes, it seems there might be a connection." Haneef further added that more widespread usage of EEG tests, along with other brain imaging techniques like MRI or CT scans, is necessary to explore the frontal lobe changes further.
However, it's essential to note that the virus might not directly be responsible for all the damage observed. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusual blood thickness, and cardiac arrest, may contribute to EEG abnormalities beyond the frontal lobes.
Some recovered COVID-19 patients have reported ongoing health issues, labeled 'long COVID.' One such issue is 'brain fog.' A recent study found that individuals claiming to have had COVID-19 performed poorly on an online cognitive test, suggesting possible cognitive aging by around a decade.
Experts have pointed out that this cross-sectional study does not prove long-term cognitive decline due to the infection. However, it does highlight concerns about potential lasting impacts on the brain. Haneef agrees, stating, "Our findings hint at the possibility of long-term issues that were previously suspected, providing more evidence to support that theory."
On a positive note, over half of the patients who underwent follow-up EEG tests showed improvements. nonetheless, the analysis had limitations, such as limited access to raw data, potential biases due to disproportionate testing of patients with neurological symptoms, and the administration of anti-seizure medication to many patients, which could have concealed signs of seizures in their EEG traces.
In conclusion, while direct evidence linking COVID-19 to abnormalities in the frontal lobes is still limited, the cognitive symptoms observed in post-COVID patients warrant further investigation into the brain's potential involvement, particularly in the frontal regions.
- Seizures, along with headaches and confusion, are among the neurological symptoms exhibited by some severe COVID-19 patients, necessitating EEG (electroencephalography) tests to monitor brain electrical activity.
- A review of research suggests that about 15-25% of severe COVID-19 patients may display neurological issues, with a significant number of abnormalities found in the frontal lobes.
- The severity of COVID-19 disease is positively correlated with the extent of EEG abnormalities, especially in patients with preexisting neurological conditions like epilepsy.
- COVID-19 may not be solely responsible for the brain damage observed, as systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation and cardiac arrest, may contribute to EEG abnormalities.
- In the aftermath of recovery, some COVID-19 patients have reported ongoing health issues, including 'brain fog,' which may indicate potential cognitive aging and lasting impacts on the brain.
- While direct evidence linking COVID-19 to abnormalities in the frontal lobes is limited, the cognitive symptoms observed in post-COVID patients warrant further investigation into the brain's potential involvement, particularly in the frontal regions.
