Brain's Frontal Lobes Affected by COVID-19, Altering Electrical Activity
"Let's dive into the world of COVID-19 and its impact on the brain, shall we?"
COVID-19 and Neurological SymptomsApproximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 can experience neurological symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, impaired consciousness, and seizures. When these symptoms are present, doctors may refer patients for an EEG test, which monitors the electrical activity of the brain.
Research on COVID-19 Impact on the BrainScientists from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed EEG results from 617 patients across 84 studies to investigate how COVID-19 affects the brain. They found that the most common EEG abnormalities were slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges, and that these abnormalities correlated with the severity of the disease.
The Role of the Frontal LobeAround a third of the EEG abnormalities were in the frontal lobes of the brain. Dr. Zulfi Haneef, an assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor, suggests that the virus may exploit the close proximity of the frontal lobe to the nose, its likely entry point, as the root cause. He also emphasizes the need for more EEG tests and other imaging methods to study the frontal lobe in a broader range of patients.
Long-term Effects of COVID-19 on the BrainSome people who recover from COVID-19 experience ongoing health issues, such as "brain fog." A recent study found that individuals who claim to have had COVID performed less well on a cognitive test compared to those without such a claim. The study doesn’t prove that the infection caused long-term cognitive decline but raises concerns regarding its potential effect on the brain. Dr. Haneef agrees, stating that the findings support the suspicion of long-term issues related to COVID-19.
Limitations and Further ResearchThe study had several limitations, including incomplete data availability, potential skewing of results due to disproportionate EEG tests on patients with neurological symptoms, and the administration of anti-seizure medications that might have obscured signs of seizures in EEG traces.
Fact: Approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may experience neurological symptoms, and around a third of the abnormal EEG findings were in the frontal lobes of the brain.
Insight: COVID-19 infection may induce neurological symptoms and brain abnormalities, leading to cognitive impairments and executive dysfunctions, particularly in the frontal brain regions. The direct evidence of SARS-CoV-2 affecting the brain's frontal lobes is limited, but neuroinflammatory or neurodegenerative processes may contribute to EEG changes.
- "The correlation between COVID-19 severity and neurological symptoms, such as seizures, is concerning, especially as around a third of the EEG abnormalities were found in the frontal lobes of the brain."
- "Given the potential for long-term cognitive decline in individuals who recover from COVID-19, health-and-wellness and mental-health practitioners should remain vigilant in monitoring and treating any neurological disorders or medical-conditions related to the virus."
- "Research suggests that the frontal lobe, due to its close proximity to the nose, may be particularly vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection, leading to a higher incidence of epilepsy seizures and other neurological disorders."
- "A better understanding of the neurological impact of COVID-19 is crucial not only for developing effective treatments for the virus but also for managing the mental-health and health-and-wellness consequences of the disease long-term."
