Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Affected by COVID-19
COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, doesn't just attack the respiratory system – it also affects the brain. A review of research suggests that abnormalities in the front of the brain identified by electroencephalography (EEG) tests are common among patients who have neurological symptoms with COVID-19. Here's what we know about COVID-19 and the brain.
signs and symptoms
Estimates vary, but approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may experience neurological symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, delirium, impaired consciousness, seizures, and strokes. Doctors may refer patients who are experiencing neurological symptoms for an EEG test.
EEG findings
To investigate how COVID-19 affects the brain, researchers analyzed EEG results from 617 patients, reported in 84 different studies. The most common findings that they identified were the slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges. The extent of the EEG abnormalities positively correlated with the severity of the disease and whether the patients had preexisting neurological conditions, such as epilepsy.
region-specific effects
Around a third of the abnormal findings were in the frontal lobes of the brain. Dr. Zulfi Haneef, assistant professor of neurology at Baylor College of Medicine, suggests that this could be due to the virus's likely entry point in the nose, which is located near the frontal lobe.
While the virus may not be directly responsible for all the damage, systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusually "sticky" blood, and cardiac arrest, may play a role in EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes.
long covid and brain fog
Some people who have recovered from COVID-19 report ongoing health problems, now labeled long COVID. Among these is "brain fog," which is characterized by difficulty concentrating, memory loss, and slowed thinking.
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 had contracted the virus. The study suggests that the infection may have aged people cognitively by around a decade.
evaluating eeg abnormalities
The authors of the review note that their analysis had several limitations, including lack of access to raw data from individual studies, omission of report of many normal EEGs, and performing disproportionately more EEGs on patients with neurological symptoms.
In addition, doctors may have given anti-seizure medications to many patients, which can obscure signs of seizures in their EEG traces. However, 56.8% of those who had follow-up EEG tests showed improvements.
future research
While COVID-19 and the brain is a growing area of research, further studies are needed to fully understand the relationship between the virus and neurological abnormalities. Researchers suggest that EEG tests and other types of brain imaging, such as MRI or CT scans, should be used to investigate this further.
As we continue to learn more about COVID-19, it's crucial to stay informed and prioritize our health and well-being. For the latest information on COVID-19 prevention, treatment, and resources, visit our coronavirus hub.
source
- Approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may experience neurological symptoms such as headaches, confusion, delirium, seizures, and strokes, and doctors may refer these patients for an EEG test.
- Researchers analyzed EEG results from 617 patients and identified the slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges as the most common findings, with the extent of abnormalities correlating with the severity of the disease and preexisting neurological conditions like epilepsy.
- Long COVID, characterized by symptoms such as brain fog, memory loss, and slowed thinking, has been reported by some individuals who have recovered from COVID-19, and a recent study suggests that the infection may have aged people cognitively by around a decade.
